Maid of the Mist Near the American Side of Niagara Falls. Photo by Chris McIntosh on Unsplash
Arriving early, before the lovers
have climbed up from their seastruck beds,
she stands where mist can penetrate
the way 7 a. m. changes the world—
softening, quickening little
hopes. She thought the Falls
were out in the country, not in a town.
To be wrong so many times, like finding the pyramids
adjacent to the Cairo bus stop,
or even herself alone in upstate New York
in the middle of a summer when she can imagine
pitching so many things overboard,
not a body in a barrel, not that,
but stacks of manuscripts, yellow stick-um notes,
even what she said yesterday,
into the surging megatons,
the burst of fabulous power that could light our lights
from here to Cincinnati or whatever the loudspeaker shouts
when she rides the boat that dips a herd of slickers
into the blinding white roar, the baptismal boat
where Japanese and Puerto Rican come up equally
wet. Despite the blurred narrative,
she won’t forget how she lifted her face into the spray.
Before leaving, she drives around
the Canadian side, entering the thrift mart,
dimestore, buying a jug of bilingual bubble bath—
then spins toward the bridge again, refreshed,
sparked by the electricity that accompanies
days marked by nothing but what we see,
as if after all our sober intentions and hard work,
the days that carry us could be these.
Poet, teacher, essayist, anthologist, songwriter and singer, Naomi Shihab Nye is one of the country’s most acclaimed writers. Her voice is generous; her vision true; her subjects ordinary people, and ordinary situations which, when rendered through her language, become remarkable. In this, her fourth full collection of poetry, we see with new eyes-a grandmother’s scarf, an alarm clock, a man carrying his son on his shoulders.
Ambrose Chapel at De Veaux College, where the bells were housed Photo courtesy Big Daddy Dave blog
Fling out your silver peals, ‡‡Over the river’s breast. Speak to the waters, peace, ‡‡Bid the wild Rapids rest. Peal sweetly, high and low, ‡‡Chimes of De Veaux.
Chime to the flaming woods, ‡‡Gay in the morning sun. Chime to the solemn pines ‡‡After the day is done. Peal sweetly, high and low, ‡‡Chimes of De Veaux.
Ring out your silver strains, ‡‡Over Niagara’s breast. Bid the wild waters roll, ‡‡On to their ocean-rest. Peal sweetly, high and low, ‡‡Chimes of De Veaux.
Source: Ada Elizabeth Fuller. Sunshine and Shadow: Poems by Ada Elizabeth Fuller. Niagara Falls, Ont. Ada Elizabeth Fuller, 1919
The site of DeVeaux College is now owned by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and is now the DeVeaux Woods State Park. According to the TowerBells.org DeVeaux School had a 10-bell chime installed by Meneely/Troy in 1913, which was sold to Verdin in November 1994. The remaining structure on the site have also been demolished.
From The Living Church, vol. 50, January 3, 1914
New Chimes at De Veaux College
On New Year’s Eve, at midnight, the new chimes at De Veaux College, Niagara Falls, N.Y. (the Rev. William Stanley Barrows, headmaster), were rung for the first time. The bells, ten in number, were made by the Meneely Company of Troy, and are known as their F Tenor chime. They are a duplicate of those recently given to Christ Church, Greenwich, Conn, and are the gift of Mr. Albert H. Lewis of Bridgeport, Conn., who attended De Veaux College from 1857 to 1862. The inscription on the great bell reads: “Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter. In honor of Samuel De Veaux and as a memorial to those trustees, masters, boys, and patrons who have faithfully served and fostered De Veaux College, this chime is presented by Albert Henry Lewis, ’57-’62, Founder’s Day, A. D. 1913, the fifty-sixth anniversary of the opening of De Veaux College. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will toward men.” The inscription of the other bells is: “Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter. De Veaux College, ex dono Albert Henry Lewis, Founder’s Day, A. D. 1913.”
View the song Thy Bells Deveaux by Thomas Vincent Welch and J. Ernest Rieger
Gorge of the Niagara River from Niagara Falls: America’s Scenic Wonders Image courtesy of Niagara Falls Public Library
Within the mighty Gorge I stand alone, ‡‡But little more than those small grains of sand
Which lie unnumbered, where the wave-worn shore ‡‡Stretched out to grasp them in its open hand.
But high above the river’s mighty voice, ‡‡A crystal throat brings in its note of charm—
The steady drip of water on a ledge ‡‡Of rocks, upheaved as by some mighty arm.
O’erhead the trees, with pray’rful murmurings, ‡‡Breathe soft to all the winds that flutter by—
The breezes that but came a moment hence ‡‡And went their airy journey with a sigh.
The river winds its fretful way along, ‡‡But deep within its plaintings, great and small,
I hear the mighty Maker’s mighty voice ‡‡In thousand thund’rous accents rise and fall.
Source: Ada Elizabeth Fuller. Sunshine and Shadow: Poems by Ada Elizabeth Fuller. Niagara Falls, Ont. Ada Elizabeth Fuller, 1919
Bloody Battle Near Niagara Broadside. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
THE BRITISH, in Canada, proudly display
Their forces, collecting in battle array ;
But when to derange or to strike the Guelphs down,
We wish, or determine,… Scott, Perry and Brown…. ‡‡Will prove themselves valiant, and worthy, and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
So Hull, Ransellaer—Burrows, Lawrence and Pike,
On the minds of their chieftains such terror would strike,
As to throw them amaz’d and astonish’d aghast,
With muscles close strain’d… as a shoe to a mast. ‡‡They prov’d themselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
So Bainbridge and Porter, Decatur and Jones,
And all the brave heroes, America owns, Rodgers, Harrison, Warrington, each glorious name,
In our annals enroll’d and distinguish’d in fame : ‡‡All prove themselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea. JOHN BULL once believ’d, in the mischance of War,
When Coercion was substitute, render’d for Law ;
Declar’d as our Rights ; — and enforc’d from the Throne,
For all which, their nation’s best blood did atone. ‡‡We prov’d ourselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
But now BULLy JOHN, in his dotage and dreams,
Believes us a National people, it seems ;
But ranging as Arbiter round the wide world,
He would have us conform, or to ruin be hurl’d. ‡‡We will prove to JOHN BULL, we are valiant and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
So it seems “ giant ” JOHN — with his ships and his arms,
Intends, for us Yankees, a great many harms ;
But the prodigal now, with his fortune all made,
Is out-law’d in Honor, and bankrupt in Trade. ‡‡While the Yankees are valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
The British, in triumph, establish their Stakes,
Along the Atlantic, and round the great Lakes ;
But away from their posts, they are sure to retreat,
When with equal force match’d ; ’tis their death and defeat ‡‡We prove ourselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea. Lord Wellington’s armies, the Indians and all,
Nor Frauds, nor Blockades shall our FREEDOM enthral,
Our RIGHTS, as our life-blood, are equally dear,
And as true to our Nation…we’re Brave without Fear. ‡‡We prove ourselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
How many brave heroes, at Chippewa fell ;
Of their actions hereafter shall history tell ;
Embalm’d in our hearts, shall their memories be,
While our hearts uncorrupted shall love LIBERTY. ‡‡For they proved themselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
Brave SCOTT, is a Hero, the Soldier, the Man,
He leads as the chief, and directs in the van ;
To glory he leads, — mid war’s clangor and blaze,
He’s the Victor enlaurell’d, — deserving our praise. ‡‡So prove yourselves valiant, and worthy, and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
Soon the heroic BROWN meets the Canada troops
Unmov’d by their threats, or their shouts or yell-hoops
He offers them battle, on terms to contend,
He fights like a Soldier, but treats like a Friend. ‡‡So fight, ye brave boys, as you’re valiant and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
He captures their garrison ; moves on in arms,
And triumphs as victor, amid their alarms ;
He engages, again and again, on the field ;
Compelling the vanquished Britons to yield. ‡‡Thus prove yourselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
On the evening of July, the twenty-fifth day,
Where the moon beams reflect, in Niagara’s spray,
Where the noise of the cataract echoes around,
There Riall and Brown, and their Troops take their ground. ‡‡The Yankees are conq’rors — valiant and free, ‡‡In battles on land, boys, and battles at sea.
Dislodg’d from their strong holds, at ev’ry place,
They fall or surrender, or run with disgrace ;
They attack, they retreat ; — they pant for relief ;
All is lost ! — their best troops — and their ambitious Chief. ‡‡The Yankees are victors…they’re valiant and free, ‡‡In battles on land boys, and battles at sea.
Seven hours rag’d the battle ! — then in silence profound,
The victims and wounded, bestrewing the ground,
Exhibit a scene, which all hearts must deplore,
‘Tis the fate of all WARS ! — but the Battle is o’er ! ‡‡We prove ourselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea. Our Heroes, and chiefs, in the Battle, survive ;
Many fall ! — and O ! could brave SPENCER but live !
But in glory, he dies, with his compeers in arms ;
May regret and respect fill the heart as it warms. ‡‡Let us prove ourselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
The British are vanquish’d again and again,
On the Lakes, in the field, on each mound, and each plain,
Their DAY-STAR’S bright lustre bedim’d disappears ;
While our glory increases, with th’ increase of years. ‡‡We prove ourselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on land, boys, and battles at sea.
Drop a tear o’er the scene ; like Leonidas’ band,
Our youth fight and die, at their country’s command :
As “sacred to mem’ry”— triumphantly raise,
Where they fall….monumental inscriptions of Praise. ‡‡They prove themselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on land, boys, and battles at sea.
Be the chief Gen. BROWN, and the brave Gen. SCOTT,
By the Sons of Columbia never forgot ;
May our hearts all unite, in America’s cause,
In defence of our Honor, Rights, Freedom and Laws. ‡‡Thus prove ourselves valiant, and worthy and free, ‡‡In battles on shore, boys, and battles at sea.
Source: Boston: Printed by N. Coverly, 1814
At head of poem:
BLOODY BATTLE NEAR NIAGARA.
Bloody Battle Near Niagara
The United States’ army, commanded by Major JACOB BROWN, victorious over the British Forces, under the command of Major General RIALL ; “The action commenced on the 25th July, at 5 o’clock P.M. and continued without intermission till midnight.” The enemy was driven at every position ; his battery stormed, and all his artillery taken by the Americans ; Gen. RIALL, 20 officers of rank, and near 300 privates were made prisoners. Generals Brown and Scott severely wounded, the brave Capt. Spencer mortally. The loss on both sides in this severe engagement was very great. The U. S. troops under Gen. Ripley, maintained their position several hours after the action, and then fell back upon Fort Erie as a measure of precaution. Success attend the arms of the UNITED STATES, to effect an honorable and lasting PEACE.
