Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-12-26
nom the Rutland n. Herald.
CHITrENDEN CAVE.

CHITIENDEN GAVE. ,
It is situated in the northeasterly part OF ehee
tep and presents itself about hail way up he aseo1
of an irregular hill, which constitutes part VI one
of the highest ranges of the Green Mountains ine
interior OF the cavern divided into several large
halls and other apartments, connected. or cominuh
eating BY a vautcd subterranean passage 100 teet
in length The principal entrance Is from the weel,
and is formed BY d low aud triangular opening ~
the rock not more than two feet N diameter Here
we were each of US furnished with lighted Candle
BY our gulde-and passing through this aperture
we followed him into the outer prci a narrow pas
saue IL feet in length, and tel mnating by an ao-
yupt descent. Descending about ten feet opposite
the first entrance, we found ourselves IN lofty ca
witty, 40 feet in length and broad -arched above |
with solid rock of mestone-its roof and sides |
lined with sparry congelanns. winch had been lorm
ed by the water constantly trucking through the
rock The pendant stalaclites were. however. but
imperfectly formed, or mad been broken OIL Dy Tor
uer visitors.
On the right and left of this magnificent hall,
were passages leading to outer apartments in the
cave. The opening OH the north side is
nerDandicuar aperture. about feet hg l and go in
ches broad, and resembling assure in rock. En-.
tering this passage, which, bending to the right.
takes a semlcircuar but horizontal direction. we
advanced 80 feet from the mouth, when the rock
opened on the east, and presented to view spa
cols cavern, surprising IN magnitude the one we
had first entered. 1t exceeded 50 feet in length by
10 broad and the roof and Sides in the former,
were also lined with sparry lncrustatlons
Relightng our candies, several of which had been
extingushed in passing this narrow recess, the re-
aliy Of this scene without the aid OF fancy, excl.
ted our highest admiration. The lofty roof hollow
ed inside into the form Of complete dome. was
thickly Deset with pendantIdt0 OF water, which.
rejecting innumerable rays from our lights, gave a
beauty and nlfcence to the scene that can hard
be imagined
Still farther on to the north. there appeared vel
like opening in the rock, Into the mouth of whcl
we entered, having first let down lighted candle /,
ascertain the purity Of the air. The decent wa
rough and dangerous, varying from the perpendicu
lar only by its taking somewhat spiral direction
l. citing ourselves down by the craggy projections
at the distance of 90 feet from the mouth, the pas
sage enlarged, and entered a circular vault
about is feet in diameter and surrounded on all side
BY solid rock.
The idea that we were now more than 60 fec
from the surface OF the Garth and incarcerated. as
we're, in solid rock-together with the chill an
gloomy damp of the place, produced a peculiar an
inexpressble awe.
Unable to discover any further passage in Il,
rock in this direction, were obliged to turn bac
and retrace the same recesses that had led US TIA
far. We now returned TO the apartment which "
first explored and passing through, the opening q
proceeds the long and intricate passage leading
the southern extremity of the The con
mencenent OF this avenue has generally been ii
boundary Of most peoples curiosity for the passaq
through the whole extent is very low and narrow
retaining. in some places, for the distance of 20 fee
an opening in the rock not more than twenty nch
in diameter 1t with much difficulty, ther
fore, that we succeeded in cropping our way throug
Perscvering, however, at the distance Of l6o te
from its mouth the passage terminated and we e
tered large room, ablut 20 feet square, the 70
and sides more broken and irregular than those
the other apartments. but lined with similar concr
tions. Ascending ~ or Is feet from this roor
nearly perpendicular, we passed out at the sout
ern opening in the rock. and once more entered st
warm precincts the cheerful day."
Those who have explored similar p.ac,
can form no idea Of the beauty of those suberrane
apartments. Let those who would, visit the rece
OF this hollow rock.