n the blue sky, a cloud of vapour.
This is said to be the crown of Niagara, the vapoury particles
collecting from the boiling caldron below.

Proceeding onward, a roaring sound is heard, the current increases in
rapidity, and ahead appears a line of foaming breakers. Those who once
get within their power must give up all hope of life. No vessel built
with mortal hands can live amidst those furious rapids. In the centre a
rocky island appears, thickly covered with trees, and while one portion
of the stream rushes directly on, and takes a leap downwards of 200
feet, the other and smaller portion, sweeping round Goat Island, finds
its way into the lower level, over the cliff on the right bank of the
river. The last-mentioned fall is known as the American fall, as the
territory on that side of the river belongs to the United States.

Onward the waters rush, between lofty cliffs, at a distance of three
miles, when they meet an opposing rock, and, circling round and round,
form a fearful whirlpool. No one falling into that circling eddy has
ever escaped with life. The stoutest boat would soon be dashed to
pieces.

At length the waters find their way out by a narrow passage, and rush
onward into Lake Ontario. A long fall across the direct current of the
River is known as the Horseshoe Fall. Standing on the British bank of
the stream, it is seen on the right, with the American fall directly
opposite the spectator. In the latter fall many fearful accidents have
occurred.

The scenery above the Falls is very different to that below. In the
latter the banks are high and precipitous, and the stream flows on 200
feet below the summit of the cliffs. Above the cataract, on the
contrary, the river presents the appearance rather of a large lake. The
woods, consisting of firs, and birch, and maple, come close down to the
water, their branches overhanging the stream. Here and there are
clearings. Many mills moved by water power, and numerous farms, extend
along the banks on either side.

It was somewhere above the rapids that a young man, clad in homely
costume but with the appearance and bearing of a gentleman, was walking
by the river's brink. By his side was a fair girl. He was speaking to
her earnestly and gently, but she seemed to be turning an indifferent
ear to his words.

"I acknowledge your merits, Mr Carlton, but really I cannot see that I
should be expected to give my heart and hand, as you ask me, to one