This stream divides Canada from the States—­the western or farthermost bank belonging to the British Crown, and the eastern or nearer bank being in the State of New York.  In visiting Niagara, it always becomes a question on which side the visitor shall take up his quarters.  On the Canada side there is no town; but there is a large hotel beautifully placed immediately opposite to the falls and this is generally thought to be the best locality for tourists.  In the State of New York is the town called Niagara Falls; and here there are two large hotels, which, as to their immediate site, are not so well placed as that in Canada.  I first visited Niagara some three years since.  I stayed then at the Clifton House, on the Canada side, and have since sworn by that position.  But the Clifton House was closed for the season when I was last there, and on that account we went to the Cataract House, in the town on the other side.  I now think that I should set up my staff on the American side, if I went again.  My advice on the subject to any party starting for Niagara would depend upon their habits or on their nationality.  I would send Americans to the Canadian side, because they dislike walking; but English people I would locate on the American side, seeing that they are generally accustomed to the frequent use of their own legs.  The two sides are not very easily approached one from the other.  Immediately below the falls there is a ferry, which may be traversed at the expense of a shilling; but the labor of getting up and down from the ferry is considerable, and the passage becomes wearisome.  There is also a bridge; but it is two miles down the river, making a walk or drive of four miles necessary, and the toll for passing is four shillings, or a dollar, in a carriage, and one shilling on foot.  As the greater variety of prospect can be had on the American side, as the island between the two falls is approachable from the American side and not from the Canadian, and as it is in this island that visitors will best love to linger, and learn to measure in their minds the vast triumph of waters before them, I recommend such of my readers as can trust a little—­it need be but a little—­ to their own legs to select their hotel at Niagara Falls town.

It has been said that it matters much from what point the falls are first seen, but to this I demur.  It matters, I think, very little, or not at all.  Let the visitor first see it all, and learn the whereabouts of every point, so as to understand his own position and that of the waters; and then, having done that in the way of business, let him proceed to enjoyment.  I doubt whether it be not the best to do this with all sight-seeing.  I am quite sure that it is the way in which acquaintance may be best and most pleasantly made with a new picture.