Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-09
DESCRIPTION OF wEYER's CAVE,

In .Augusta County, Virginia,
OF all the wonderful subterraneOus caverns now
known, WEYER's CAVE is the most remarkable,
az we'll for its dimensions and extent as for the
beauty Of its sparry demonstrations, the sublime
and splendid busts, and the massive columns,
pillars, sc. that il contains.
This celebrated cavern was first explored by
Bernard Weyer, in February, 1906. who in pur-
suit of a ground hog came to a small aperture in
the earth, in which this animal had taken refuge
from his dog; he suspected that one of his steel
traps had been drawn In, which induced him to
die down; after digging short distance he was
surprised in finding that it led to small apart
ment which terminated in a solid rock; by means
of a pick-axe he perforated it so as to pass IN
20 anothcr;t when at once, beyond his most san
guine expectations he was pleasantly disappont-
cd in finding a very extensive grotto. The DIS
coverer then made il known to the proprietor OF
the land, whose name was Matthias Amen; they.
together with more of their neighbors, Venturcd
IN with lights, they gave names to the different
apartments, and also named the cave alter the
discoverer Excited by the above information,
NV companion aud myself determined to pay it
visit; to accomplish this intention we passed up
the rich, prolific and beautiful valley OF Virginia;
bounded on both sides by sublime and romantic
mountains; at this place about 90 miles distant,
on the right and on the left; which presents the
eye with scenes calculated alike to profit and 10
please, they tend continually to accelerate the at
iections, and entertain the imagination.
We called at the present proprietor's, whose
name is John Mohler, living in Rockingham coun-
Nv, about half mile from the cave. After few
hours repose. and reireshment, We were furnish
ed with guide (who was not unacquainted with
his business) and candles; we then proceeded to
the cave, which is in the same hill, parallel to-,
4 ls e.nn nod
Jetferson's Notes. which is much surpas ed in
by the former. that il is scarcely ever visited;
nor is il worthy of description when cOntrasted
with the other. 1t is about two miles above the
source of the Shenandoah river, for the cOnfiu-
ence of the forks that compose it, and IN Angus
IA county. More than half way up the ACTIVITY
of the HILL We entered boldly, first into the ves-
tibule or anti chamber, the arch OF which rs or
10 feet high, Astounding in spar, thence through a
rock of petrifaction, into the Dragons room.
where, by the percolation OF the water through
the above, there are found thousands OF staiac-
tites and staagmltes, of the most uncouth figures;
which were ancienty supposed to be petrihed
water, but after later researches we find them to
be various kinds of earth, carried down in suu-
ton with the water, aud by the attraction OF COM
position, are collected into bodies, which are con-
aealed after the evaporation of the water, by the
cementins qualities of the lime which constitutes
a part of the composition OF earths. This petri
faction is also of different kinds; there is yellow,
white, reddish, marble cOlored, transparent and
crystalized Yet the greatest quality of spar
. has the color Of red clay. In the Dragons room
.here is an imitation of the Dragon. facing a
stupendous vault, under whiSh there is a project
mo rock, called the Devils gallery, surrounded
hy pany soniferous spires. We proceeded thro'
short aud narrow passage, descended ladder,
partly hewn out of rock, to SolOmon's Temple,
which is the most sublime scene | had ever be-
held. To attempt to describe what is here INA
giued, in entering this lurid, scarce half ilumn-
ed recess, is quite vain! nor can any person
form even the faintest idea Of the sablnnity and
grandeur of this subterranean abode, until he
witnesses its Ragni6cence; nor then can he lind
LANGUAGE copOus enough to express his sent-
ments. Ii was Justly observed by an English
painter, who was here some time. that correct
delineation or description would require years
with the pen. In Soomon's Temple there is
wave like folding of incrustations, from the CELL
ing to the floor, exactly representing water tum-
bling over a precipce which had conSlacIated IN
falling, called the cataract or Falls OF Niagara.
In front is large ssfa, called SoOmon's Throne;
on the left is a large transparent Huted column,
called Solomon's Pillar: few PAGES farther,
there are thousands of white pieces hanging to
the celltng, OF q Spi'dt toiW sou'u ''e ieooo''"
Room; beyond which it is difficult to traverse,
on account of the huge masses Of rocks which
have fallen over the floor. We then took
Irrespective view Of the pillar. aud returned to the
cataract, ascending the ladder, about ten feet
high, and went through long passage to the
Tambarine, or Drum room, which is extravaganza
ly decorated with variety Of beautiful drapery,
variegated and diversified; throughout the room
there are also number Of semipeilucid curtains,
of different colors and FORMS Besides these in
the Tambarine, or Drum room, there are large
sonorous sheets, called the drums, which sound
very much like the kettle-drum; also semi-cir-
cuIar column with pedals about it of diferent
iepsths, and of course different toned, called
the Forte Piano.
We then proceeded up natural and elegant
stair case, banistered suitably to rest the hand
on, and passed Patterson's Grave, "a hollow
rock into which gentleman by that name fell
and by descending ladder we entered the Ball
uaseni. shich il about 40 yards in length, and