The Sun.
London, England, 1827-09-26 00:00:00

AMERICAN PHENOMENON.

GREAT OPENING IN THE EARTH, IN SUTTON,
MASSACHUSETTS.
This immense chasm, which has been called
for a great number of years " Purgatory," is
situated in the south part of Sutton, near the
centre of what is called the " Great South -
Woods," about threg and a half miles from the
Meeting-house. It is nearly half a mile in
length, and from seventy-five to one hundred
feet in width. Without measuring the distance
from the top to the bottom, it would be estimated
very differently by different individuals. The
distance from the top to the bottom is about 114
feet. When I speak of the bottom, I mean the
principal level in the chasm, not including the
great number of apertures, which open in this
bottom, and into which one may descend, a dis-
tance bounded rather by probable danger than
any mechanical obstruction ; these are to be
noticed hereafter.
On first entering this immense opening an in-
describable sensation must be awakened in thebreast
of every individual who delights in contemplating
the works of omnipotence. Vast perpendicular
walls of solid granite hound the observer on either
side ; huge rocks huddled together in chance-
like insecurity beneath his feet ; the proudest
itfv)oei
fora
gia
ml here ro esmuaesnit
edt
nhtahonlecdree t
hfar
eo sns cipaet
adamantine.ct et
ar itioi gr i tree
w
trees of a primitive forest mouldering into crust,
awe, wonder,
rocks,m.oiidgeal
ryl
and admiration. In advancing forward, new
scenes present themselves for examination. A
little opening in the common level, at the feet of
the observer, in dimensions only sufficient to ad-
mit the descent of a single man, when once
entered, becomes in extent ample for the accom-
modation of a vast number. One of the gen-
.
tlemen of our party states, that he entered One of
these apertures at least thirty feet, and stopped
there rather from the darkness and dampness of
the place, than from any obstacles that would
have impeded' his progress in advancing farther. '
The feeling of security that accompanies one
while in those deep recesses, is more the conse-
quence of known precedents than well established
security founded upon observation, for in many
instances huge rocks above, seemed confined only
by a single point, which perhaps would support
many hundred pounds, or which possibly might
be detached by the weight of a few ounces. At
first it seemed probable that there would be
danger in these caverns from meeting with a de-
leterious gas, known by the name of carbonic
acid gas, the same that is sometimes met with in,
wells, vats, and other sunken holes, mid the same
also that is produced by the combustion of char-
coal, but as no accidents have ever occurred from
tills cause, it is probable that this gas does not
there collect in sufficient quantities, if at all, to
become dangerous.
In the warm months, particularly Judy and
August, there issues from these apertures a thick,
damp
al mist,alone
e wouldi n s u
pc h quantitiesproduce
a very as
unpleasant
Visi-
ble, and I would almost venture to say tangible.
This
sen-
sation, but when connected with a temperature as
low as 35 degrees, it becomes chilling and op-
pressive. This circumstance, I apprehend, con-
stitutes the greatest danger in -visiting this place.
On the common level the temperature would, at
this season, probably range from 80 to 95 ;
descending one of these smaller openings, the
temperature would not exceed 35 degrees. Here
is a sudden change of 45 or 50 degrees, quite
sufficient to check a free perspiration, which every
one would find himself in after leaping over logs
and rocks some half hour or more.
Towards the lower end of the chasm stands a
large birch tree gro'wing out among the rocks in
the great common level, the circumference of
which must be at least five feet. From among
the roots of this tree a fine spring of water com-
monly issues, at which the visitant may usually
satisfy any laudable cravings he may have for this
simple beverage. The spring is completely dry
at this time owing to the dry weather. Our guide
told us, that lie never saw it in this state before.
However, a few feet above this, and on the op'
posite side of the tree, we found among the mail
some exceedingly fine water, and without much
trouble obtained a sufficiency for use. Ice i 5
usually found in abundance just below this spring
in all seasons of the year. The writer has oir
tamed it there in June, July, and August.
I cannot do better in this place than reconv
mend to every one who intends visiting this place,
to supply themselves with some articles of food,
as there is no house near by at which they could
be accommodated, saying nothing about the
pleasure of eating in such a place. And whoever
s
you may be, whether man, woman, or child, be
sure and leave your name cut on some tree, for this
o
I am certain, from the immense number there to
be found, is the direct road to immortalit.Y.
The
d origin ofevtehnitss chasm
avies losttranpired in re.-
among the
mote ages, and tradition g assi n 9 so many cause
for it, that a conjecture now would be only'
adding to the confusion. It is said that the
devil has been seen there, thrusting his fiery
tongue out of the deepest recesses with immer
surable velocity, and declaring this to be the eo;
trance to his mighty kingdom. A very goof
story might be made out of tl • by T•g.►
this Ir.
especially if he could find a Tom Walker or 0
Dutchman to lend a hand ; or, were it a little
nearer the north pole, C tap • Symes might c01'
vert it to a useful purpose. But not to be
tedious, this immense •
quantity of stone, welie•
lieve, will one
day be removed for the purpose of
building, or whatever else it might be required
for. So extensive is the quarry, that I have no
doubt a village as large as Worcester might be
built with materials
carried from it, and a mat'
of good judgment declares his conviction, that
the city of Boston might be rebuilt from the
same source. A railway might be constructed
from the chasm to the Blackstone canal, the dis'
lance h ; -e.ng only about four miles, thence to alit
place on the canal the stone could be carried
with great ease. The rock is all of the granite
kind, and could be wrought into blocks or co'
lumns of almost any dimensions. There is one
single rock there which I do not hesitate to
state, will weigh five thousand tons, and it may`
be three times that weight. This rock forms
one of the highest points on the left hand mar'
gin as we go down, and corresponds with one 01
the same height on the opposite side. The twd
faces show evidently that they were once united,
as do the faces of the perpendicular walls gene'
rally. Beautiful specimens of..mica slate may 1.4\
obtained near the spring quartz
also finely set
and. some specimens of mend°, may be met with'
would do well to visit this et
The geologist wou
making the science his principal object. In fino
I would recommend all to go to the Suttoo
Chasm. I believe it to be one of the most stril‘'
ing curiosities we have this side of the White
Mountains, and richly worth the journey of
day to see it.--National ./Egis.

and P M. YOUNG, at tye
PAINTaIt IIIILIMED b 3?
Six•Orrtion, No. 112, Strand.