and forms the different falls which
are north of Lake Ontario, and is at length lost in the neighbourhood of
the Hudson. The canal runs a distance through sombre forests, when they
reached Lockport on the 20th of August, about seven o'clock in the
morning. At this place the canal is carried over the ridge by five large
locks, through which the water is raised to the height of seventy-six
feet. The locks are ten in number, being arranged in two parallel rows,
so that while the boats ascend in one row, they may descend at the same
time in the other.

Lockport is an extremely pleasant place, and is situated just above the
locks. At Lockport they took a dearborn for Buffalo, where they were
anxious to go, in order to see the union of the canal with Lake Erie.
Though a good stage runs between Lockport and the Falls of Niagara, they
went in this bad vehicle five miles to the navigable part of the canal.
They then took passage in a boat at Cottensburgh. At this place also,
the canal is cut through a rock to the depth of about thirty feet. About
two or three miles farther on it terminates in the Tonawanta creek,
which serves as a canal for twelve miles. The creek is about fifty yards
wide, and runs through a dense and beautiful forest. At the new town of
Tonawanta, the creek unites with the Niagara river, where the sluice
leads off. At this place also Alida and her company had the first view
of the Niagara river, which conveys the waters of Lake Erie into Lake
Ontario, from the other extremity of which flows the St. Lawrence. In
this river they observed Grand Island. During the late war, the Niagara,
it is well known, formed the boundary line between the United States and
the British provinces in Upper Canada, and this island bore testimony of
the conflict.

CHAPTER XXVI.

From war's dread ravages again is seen,
A spacious town, and Buffalo the name,
Now rising from its ashes, spreads around.
Various new structures fill the empty ground.

From Tonawanta to Buffalo is eight miles, five of which they travelled
on the canal which runs along the bank of the Niagara river as far as
Black Rock.

Buffalo was burnt during the late war by the British, but it appeared to
be already rising from its ashes with increased beauty.

This town will soon become an important place, in consequence of its
situation near the mouth of the canal, and its harbour. At the entrance
of the harbour is a light-house, and on the lake