the riverThis includes both Falls and the intersecting
island, which is about 450 yards over. I was told by the ferryman, that about
16 miles above the Falls, the river was nearly one
mile in width, and that, in the middle, it was 40
feet in depth; and, in common, the stream ran
at the rate of six miles in the hour. If this is
really the case, and I have no cause to doubt it,
the quantity of water passing over the Falls, and
continually suspended between the top and bot-
tom, may be more than 400,000 tons. If the
additional height and velocity, gained by a fall
of 158 feet, be added, the weight of these prodi-
gious columns of water would exceed three mil-
lions of tons. Such an enormous specific gravity
falling at once into the gulf below may bring the
accounts or the Falls being heard, under favour-
able circumstances, at the distance of 40 or 50
miles, within the limits of credibility Arrowsmith in his map of the United States,
says, this column of water is supposed to descend into
the column about 65 feet. He also observes, It is said by
those who have visited this stupendous cataract, that the
descent into the chasm is very difficult, because of the great
height of the banks. A person having descended, however,
may go to the bottom of the Falls and take shelter behind the
torrent, between the falling water and the precipice; where
there is a space sufficient to contain a number of persons,
in perfect safety; and where conversation may be held with-
out interruption from the noise; which less than at a
considerable distance..