Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-09

Lady's Dressing room, which In ADDITION 10 the
Ball room, appears to have been constructed by
nature for that purpose. At the other there is
stalactite Of spar. about four feet high, and IL
inches in circumference, on which may be indx-
ed a candle, called the RecIuse Candlestick.-
About the centre of this beautiful apartment,
there is an imitation of sideboard, furnished
with decanters and tumblers. Besides those i'll
the Ball room, there is a sheet extending up the
side of the wall, called the Tragical Sound
board, remarkable for its sound; gentle thump
with the foot will produce wonderful and as.
tonshing sound, resembling distant thunder,
which sound pervades the whole cave yet arti-
culation can scarce be understood 200 yards
From the Ball room we PASSED through narrow
and difficult passage to Jacobs Ladder, which
is hewn out of sort of calcarious rock, supposed
by many people to be natural, which causes 1t
sometimes to fall under the appellation Of natu.
raj steps: but think it hardly probable. AT
the foot of this ladder there is very low and
dreary place called the Dungeon. Next we came
to the Senate Chamber, which contains varie-
tv of beautiful spar: in this place there is mag
nificent gallery projecting over one hall OF the
room, called the Music Gallery, on which there
is small apartment remarkable for the reverbe-
ration of sound; the voice be heard to re-echo
in this room with such astonishing velocity as to
render speech unlntellisible. We then went
through an open and grotesque passage to Wash,
inston's Hall, the most splendid, extensive and
beautiful room in the cave; where the grandeur
Of its height, the diversity Of its representation
of the works Of art the rcverbations OF the voice,
and the spendor and briliancy of its spar, is not
only calculated to keep the sublime emotions IN
a constant state Of excitement, but strikes the
mind with almost repressed curiosity. The Gu
riOus Explorer now witnesses something amazing.
ly sublime; the walls are strung with musical
columns, which, by running stick over them,
will produce profusion of discordant sounds.
The drums, the tambarine, the piano, and
each note, discordant heard alone, aid the full
concert, while the sound board roars melancho-
ly murmur, through the whole. On the right
side of this apartment, there is colorado OF
Marble Statues: over which there is an lmper-
feet imitation of rake; as we advanced further
We saw an incrustation on the side of the wall,
which extended from the floor to the ceiling,
representing streak of lightning
We now look forward and see Washington's
Statue, which at this distance represents g'gan-
tic figure; and from a closer view assumes the
appearance Of a large person yelled with white.
Directly to the left, is Lady Washington's draw.
ing room, in which there is variety of beautiful
drapery, the most edged with white, and some
entirely white, hanging in the form OF curtains.
On the right side of this apartment there is de-
cling rock, placed like looking glass, with
canopy above it, and bureau just before 1t; on
which there is solid rock, very striking lm-
tation of the Oppossum; which could not be SUR
passed by the most exquisite. artist; We then re-
turned, passed Washington's Statue, and came
to large pillars of conical form, about SO feet
hish, called the Pyramids; also another rather
IA toI
pey's Pillar Washingon's Hall is about nine
tyone Yards in length, and 90 feet wide. the arch
is about so feet high, the floor is level but gravel
ly. In the room fired q pistol, which, when
lis contents first exploded) produced sound equal
to the most severe clap of thunder, and for some
time there was rumblng noise resounded
throughout the different apartments; we repeated
it, several times, the earth apparently shook
We then proceeded through difficult passage by
numerous quantity of crystaliZed spar, and en-
tered small apartment that contains an excel
lent and useful spring, with water pure & linpid,
and supplied with tumbler.-Next Is the Dla-
mond room which derived its name from the bril-
iancy of its spars, and its resemblance to Dia-
monds. We were here in view, but at some dis
lance from small white stalagmite of petrifac-
ton, resembling a pillar of salt, called Lots
Wife: which is difficult of access, on account oil
the irregularity Of the room. The Dining-room,
comes next and 1t is very lengthy, the arch Is
about 80 feet above the floor: the representation
of Church Steeple, Jeferson's Salt Mountain,
the Chandeliers, and height of the arch, IN this
room. PRESENT the eye with sublime spectacles
We raeH passed through rugged passage, call
Oh he y, .erness, into Jeferson's Hall. This
pa,sage CO. Wild grotesque scene and whence
the mum rals o'rken pillars came, appears to be
a question unausweiahe, and excites mYSh as
tonshmen, Ia, Jrfferson's Hall we first saw a
massive body of spar, which would weigh proba-
blv thousands of tons, full of Fittings regularly
formed round its front, which is semicircular,
called the Tower of Babel. Facing this magni-
ficent monument of supernatural agency. is some
thing that much resembles the new moon surround.
ed by stars. The Lantern. in this room, is also
worthy of notice; it is projecting rock. with
number of small:sheets hanging 10 1t, not much
unlike saddle skirts, which emit the rays from the
candle. when placed between them.
Next IN our view, is the most beautiful piece
Of spar any where to be found in the cave; call
ed the Lady's Toilet; about fifty yards further is
EIiiah's mantle, where this wonderful scene Fl
nally terminates. We now upwards Of a
quarter of mile from the entrance and our can
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