The Sun.
London, England, 1822-11-21 00:00:00

REMARKABLE DISCOVERY IN GALLICIA.

Friday,

A Mr. Jolt?: CHMIELECKI having read in Kirch-
ner's Annals a conjecture that the subterraneous caves and pas-
sages.in Podolia had a communication with those below Kiow,
resolved to examine a site in Czorikow, to discover any traces
of subterraneous caves in that direction. A cavity in the ala-
baster rocks, overgrown with grass and weeds, was found to be
an opening made by art, which had, however, been choked up
with -earth and rubbish. When the workmen had cleared
away the earth before the entrance, a mephitic vapour issued
from the opening, which so affected them, that they fell sense-
less on the ground ; but on being removed into a pure
atmosphere, soon recovered. On the following day, Mr.
Chmielecki returned with the town clerk and six resolute
peasants, provided with swords, pistols, torches, and' candles,
and descended himself into the cave; well armed, and with a
lighted torch and tinder box. Having hold of a rope of 300 fa
-
thorns, he crept through the narrow entrance, which is about 10
yards long, into a subterraneous excavation, which resem-
bled a spacious and lofty oval hall, hewn in alabaster, and
had a very pleasing effect. Here he rested for some time,
and then called to his companions who were waiting, at the
entrance, and who after much persuasion followed' him.—
On further examining the cave, they discovered several pas-
sages of various sizes' connected with each other, all curiously
hewn out in alabaster, and covering a large extent. But whether
these passages extended to a great distance—whether they have
an issue on the surface or not, were questions which they could
not resolve, as they had got to the end of their line; and'would
not venture to proceed without a clue. After remaining
there four hours, they were obliged to retreat by the pres-
sure of the long confined .air, which almost extinguished their
torches and impeded their breath. The results of their exami.
nation are as follow :—All the subterraneous vaults appear to
be formed partly by nature,. and partly by art : they contain
several halls, or rather spacious vaults, the walls and roof of
which are of pule alabastee'. They communicate by means of
several passages running in different directions and of va-
rious breadths, some of them ,large enough for a coach and
horses to turn in. One of these caves has a near resem-
blance to a kitchen, for they found upon the hearth, raised
of several layers of alabaster, fragments of charcoal and
remains of a kind of wood (fresnia, summer cherry,) which
is not a native of the country, near the excavation. In some
places they discovered human skulls, which ei-urnbled into dust
on being touched. They likewise found a silver coin, of about
the size of a sixpence, on which, but with much difficulty, the
name \of Hadrianus is to be deciphered. They also saw seve-
ral earthen vessels, resembling modern dishes, but did not touch
them.

The Committee of the County of Ayr on the
Fiars met on Wednesday, and prepared their Report. After
considerable investigation and some discussion, and, particu-
larly, after a full description by the Sheriff Substitute of
the mode pilesently practised in that county of striking the
fiars, and an ,explanation of the principles upon which
that practice proceeds, the Committee saw no ground for
changing that method, and resolved to report that it would
be prudent to abide by it. They, in particular, saw no
reason for striking more than one general average, nor
any necessity, in striking this average,to take into view a greater
space of time than is done atpresent. As the method adopted and
practised, now for some length of time in the county of Ayr, has,
they believe, given satisfaction in general, they see no necessity for
any additional legislative measures on the subject, and conse.
quently see no propriety in sending a delegation to Edinburgh
to prepare the terms of the proposed enactment. A report to
this effect being drawn up, a meeting of the County is to be
called to take it into consideration._( Edinburgh Courant,
Nov. 18.)

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MASONIC NOTICES FOR NEXT WEEK.
ENGLAND.
Monday, November2s, LONDON. Noq. 4, 46, 71, 104, 3°s'
321, 407, 458.r0a 246
COUNTRY. Nos. 97, 227. ''d
320, 425, 437, 455, o,
„vie
524, 541, 546, 553, „IB''
578, 643, 680, 7079
COUNTRY. N 4052.7 3,84,76j468n: 41 974 5 :
- 26, lioNnox. No. 316.
528, 537, 579, 592, .'
668.
Wednesday, -27, Lo NOON. No. 2, 12, 36, 91, 235,349'
129, 164, 215, 291, AA&
400, 414, 440, 442, 75if,
COUNTRY. Nos.lio Lodge
Bo4f,j3lelne2,l2lle,ll3ceit
472, 478, 548, 563'
606, 690, 705.
Thursday, --28, LONDON. Nos. 7, 82, 86, 142, 4"
216,222,327,481. °en',
tom. Female Schow,
12. ,
COUNTRY. Nos. 70, 110, ,Aq glB+
178, 269, 420, 453,
560, 586. 670.
- 29, LONDON. • • •
COUNTRY. Nos. 53, 236, 530.
• •
- 30, LONDON.
COUNTRY. Nos. 358, 492.
IRELAND.
Wednesday, Nov. 27, CORK. No. 27.

Tuesday,

Saturday,