The Litchfield County post., 1827-09-06

cOmOdatiOn Of vast number. One of the
gentlemen of our party states that he entered
one of the apertures at least thirty feet, and
stopped there, rather from the darkness Of the
place, than from any obstacles that would
have linprded his progress in advancing far
Their.
The feeling of security that accompanies
one while IN those deep recesses, is more the
consequence of known precedents than well
established security founded upon observation
Tor IN many instances huge rocks above SEEM
ed confined only by single point, which,
perhaps would support many hundred pounds
or which possibly might be detached by the
weight Of few Ounces.-At first it seemed
probable that there would be danger in these
carerns from meeting with deleteriOus gas,
known by the name of Carbonic acid gas, the
same that is sometimes met with in wells, watts,
and other sunken holes, and the same that is
produced by the combustion of charcoal, but
as no accidents have ever occurred from this
cause, it is probable that this gas does not
there collect in sufficient quantities, il at all,
to become dangerous.
In the warm months, particularly July and
August, there issues from these apertures
thick, damp mist, in such quantities as to be-
come visible, and would almost venture to
say tangible. This alone would produce a
very unpleasant sensation, but when connect
ed with temperature as low as $50, it be-
comes chilling and oppressive. This cir
cumstance, apprehend, constitutes the great
est danger in visiting this place. On the COM
mon level the temperature would at this sea-
son range from 800 to $50 In descending one
of these smaller openings, the temperature
would not exceed $50. Here is sudden
change of As or 500, quite sufficient to check
free perspiraton, which every one will find
himself ii after leaping over logs and rocks
some aIfhour or more.
Towards the lower end ofthis chasm stands
large birch tree growing out among the rocks
in the great common level, the circumference
of which must be at least feet. From a
mong the roots of this tree, fine spring
ofwater commonly issues, at which the visit
ant may usually satisfy any laudable craving
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
he never saw it in this state before. Howev-
err, Il few feet above this, and on the opposite
side of the tree, we found among the rocks
some exceedingly fine water, and without
much trouble obtained a sufficiency for use.
Ice is usually found in abundance Just below
this spring in all seasons of the year.--The
writer has obtained it there 10 June, july and
August.
cannot do better in this place than recon-
mend to every oneWho 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 place.
And whoever you may be, whether man,
woman or child, be sure to leave your name
cut on sorle tree for this am certain, from
the inaasAse number there to be found, is the
direct n % immortality.
The origin of this chasm is lost among the
thousand other events that have TRANSFERRED in
remote ages. and tradition assigns so many
causes for it that conjecture now would on
ly be adding to the confusion. 1t is said that
the devil has been there himself. thrusting his
fiery tongue out of the deepest recesses with
Unreasonable velocity and declaring this to be
the entrance into his mighty kingdom. A very
good story might have been made out of this
by Mr.. Irving, especially if he could find a
Tom Walker or a Dutchman to lend hand
or, were it little nearer to the north-pole
Capt. Symmes might convert it to useful
purpose. But not to be tedious, this immense
quantity of stone will one day be removed
for the purpose of building, or whatever else
it might be required for. So extensive is the
quarry, that have no doubt a village as large
as Worcester might be built with materials
carried from it, and man of good judgment
declares his conviction that the city of Boston
might be rebniit from the same source. A
railway might be constructed from the chasm
to the Blackstone Canal, the distance being
only about four miles. thence to any place on
the canal the stone could be carried with
great ease.-The rock is ofthe granite kind,
and could be wrought into blocks and COL
umns of almost any dimensions. There is one
singlerock there which ! do not hesitate to
state will weigh 5000 tons, and it may BIZ
three times that weight. This rock forms
one Of the highest points on the left hand
margin as we go down, and corresponds with
one of the same height on the opposite side.
The two faces show evidently that they were
once united, as do the faces of the perpendic-
ular walls generally. Beautiful specimens of
mica slate may be obtained near the spring !:
quarts also finely set. and some specimens OF
sienite maybe met with. The geologist would
do well to visit this place, making science his
principal object. In fine, would recon-
mend all to 60 to the Sutton. Chasm. he
lieve it one Of the most striking curiosities we
have this side of the White Mountains, and
richly worth the journey of a day to see it
Il.
From the Liverpool Albion.
SKETCHES OF MADEIRA. M