NIAGARA FALLS. One of the most subs lime natural curiosities on the globe. The river flows from south to north, and is 35 miles long. At its efflux from Lake Erie it is three quarters of a mile wide, from 40 to 60 feet deep, and flows with a current of 7 miles an hour. As it proceeds, the river expands to the width of 6 or 7 miles, embosorning several consider able islands, particularly Grand and Navy islands, which terminate in beautiful points a mile and a half above the falls. A little below the termination of these islands, commence the rapids, which extend a mile to the precis pice, in which space the descent is 57 feet. At the precipice the river is three quarters of a mile wide, and is divided by Goat Island into two channels; the channel between Goat Island and the eastern or United States shore, is also divided by a small island. Over the precipice the river falls perpendicularly about 160 feet. Much the greater part of the water passes in the channel between Goat island and the Canada shore, and this fall is called from its shape the Horse-shoe fall. Between Goat
Island and the small island in the eastern channel, the stream is only 8 or 10 yards wide, forming a beautiful cascade. Between this small island and the United States shore, the' sheet of water is broad, and the descent is greater by a few feet than at the Horse-shoe fall, but the stream is comparatively shallow. The falls are seen to advantage from different positions. The best single view is that from the Table rock, on the Canada side ; and the best view of the rapids is from Goat Island, which is ingeniously connected by a bridge with the eastern shore. The view from the river below is the most entire. Below the falls, the river runs between perpendicular banks 300 feet high to Queenaton, 7 miles ; thence to Lake Ontario the country is open. About two miles below the falls is the Devil's hole, where the current is forced into a narrow bay bordered by high rocks, and forms a tre mendous whirlpool.