Of all the roaring, pouring, ‡‡Spraying streams that dash,
Niagara is number one ― ‡‡All to eternal smash!
Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848
This link takes you to the scanned version of the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust
If you should deem sublimity in water,
Just take a view from here, and spend a quarter.
Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848
This link takes you to the scanned version of the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust
Niagara — each hour, each hour — each day, each day,
The rich, the poor, the gentle pass your way;
The tradesman from his toil released,
Seeks beauties that our God decreed
To flow from Niagara; mighty as before,
You’ll live for ages, when ages shall be no more,
Made by that power, that power that man can ne’er destroy,
Our Lord, our everlasting God, from all eternity:
Steadfastly you stand as ever seen by those,
That thus appreciate the works which God bestows;
Great, beautiful Falls! you’ll continue great,
And live in grandeur, when different is our state,
When old age comes, or sad despair,
‘Tis thus to thee, oh God! we’ll pour our prayer.
Falls, mighty Falls, aloft with moistened eyes,
I send my humble gratitude with tearful sighs,
To God who ever sends us hope and trust,
Though we are sinful he is just;
If we ask pardon, our mighty God is kind,
And gives us hope in prayer, in peace of mind.
Niagara Falls! the mighty work of God,
I feel how great, how wondrous is our Lord.
August 15, 1847
Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848
This link takes you to the scanned version of the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust
Down the steep an ocean pours,
Loud the rushing water roars.
Oh, how shadowy were the way,
If no rainbow lit the spray!
Here a love-sick swain may find
Speedy cure for anguished mind.
Take one plunge, and every woe
Down the gulf will quickly go.
J. Austin was from Texas
Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848
This link takes you to the scanned version of the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust
Ye who would feast your souls on heavenly food,
Go muse awhile on Niagara’s flood;
Turn ye to Him who pours its rushing wave,
And praise the power who rules us but to save;
Whose might could crush the world he deigned to form,
Whose love redeemed mankind — who feeds the worm.
Source: Table Rock Album and Sketches of the Falls and Scenery Adjacent. Buffalo: Steam Press of Thomas and Lathrops, copyright by Jewett, Thomas & Co.,1856c.1848
This link takes you to the scanned version of the 1855 version of Table Rock Album from the Hathi Trust