Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-03
From the Baltimore America


Whose shapes along the landscape fly,
Horc chequerng DER the grounds
Here down the glen the shadows sweep
With changing lights between;
fondcr they climb the upland Steep
Shifting forever the scene"
An arch perfect in its form, so elevated so
light, and springing it were up to Heaven the
rapture of the behoder is indescribablc.
Through the deep valley, above and below, YOU
have limited, but pleasing view of the North
Mountain and Blue Rdgc-but [ despair of CON
vcying even with Mr. Jeffcrson's powerful aid
faint idea of its majestic grandeur.
Canst thou describe sunbeam to the blind?
Or make him feel shadow with his mindl
SO neither we by description show
The works of Gods creation as they glow;
His glorious arch proclaims in every line
The hand that made it awfully divine.
Retracing our steps, we found excellent accom-
modations at the house of DIR. Waddel, son to the
celebrated Blind Preacher, immortalized by MIR.
Writ in his British Spy.
Thence you proceed to Wier's Cave, Immediately
in the vicinity of Madson's, heretofore the resort
OF travellers, but, surprising it in attraction the
latter is now rarely visited.
Entering through commodous door way, cut
through solid rock, you penetrate for than
halt mile, through passes of various dimensions;
sometimes Just wide enough to squeeze through
with bent bodies; and then amply commodious-
on trace variety of subordinate cavcrns, desig-
mated as the Dragons Room, the Devils Gallery,
the Radsh, Tamhourine and Drum Rooms-The
Ball and Ladies Dressing Room, the Dungeon
Senate Chamber, Music Gallery, Washington Hall,
the Diamond and Dining Rooms-all of which are
replete with interest; they abound in SPAR and the
pcrcolaton of the water through strata of various
colourcd earth, forms innumerable petrifactions
assuming an endless variety of shapes-the stalac-
tes or FOSSILS in the shape of icicles, and stalag
mites resembling CONCEALED Drops occasionally
rival the diamond in brilliancy, the glare O. the
tapers reflect their sparkling ustrc
Here you behold a close resemblance to Drag
on In Solomon's Temple there is awavc like the
folding of incrustatons from tho ceiling to the floor
representing water precipitating itself over a pre-
clpIce, called the Cataract Falls of Niagara. In
front is Solomon's Throne, the left, transpa-
rent liuted column resembling his pillar
The Tambourine Drum Room is decorated
WITH variety of beautiful variegated drapery and
large sonorous sheets, sounding like the kettle
drum
Adjoining the Ball Room, there is curiouslv
constructed apartment appropriately termed the
Ladies Room.
Washington Hall is esteemed the most s,lendid
extensive and beautiful apartment in the Caye-of
great elcvat.on-the reverberation of the voice
the spiendor and brilliancy of It's sparsthc walls
strung with musical columns which on running
Suck over, produce profuson ofdlscordant sounds
and keep the mind in constant state of excite
ment
In the perspective-a Colossal Statue of Wash
ihgton presents itself, which on approach
seems yelled In whte-largc pillars of a conical
! form called the Pyramids-onc of which rather
declining is stiled Pompey's Pillar.
On your way to Jetferson's Hall you traverse a
rugged passage whose numerous broken pillars
form wild grotesque scene.
The pure reviyng freshness of the air 1.-THE Their
mometer at 500 eIctes universal astonishment-
as IN order to excute non-paying intruders the
door IS always closed, and althoug oh we remained
IN these subterranean caverns moro than two hours
icd on by an irresistible impulse, from one attrac
uon TO another, we felt not the slightest expressions;
yet there can be no means of ventilation, other
wise hight would observation-disclosures darkness was
ever visible. Our guide possessed fine flow of
spirits, natural and artificial some humor and suf
hcienty enthusiastic to describe in glowing terms,
the various objects of curiosity, but requires occn
sonally to be reminded that he is conductor not
companion, md where ladies' possess much per-
Sohai attraction, tone of authority becomes ne
cessary to retain him in his appropriate position in
front, but 1t were inhuman to restrain him from
casting many l0ngf3g, lingering look behind
a comparison between the relative sensations
created by viewing the Natural Bridge and Wier's
Cave, assimilates closely to those ON re.urpino
from the Falls of Niagara and Trenton. The ay
III grandeur Of the first strikes upon tho astonisb
ed vision, as you gaze on its stupendous cataract
whose immense volume of water rolls on endurinG
as ages, CONFUSING the earth for miles around
while the dense vapor formed by the spray, reflect
cd through the beams in beautiful prisns
springing in arches from bank to bank you rae in
mute alteration. While at Trenton Falls series
OF romantic picturesque cascades cnchant the be
N'NN'' "'at NHC peru you encounter Camberlup
the narrow pathways chIsseled out of the rock
gives increased interest and animation to the scene
como to the conclusion, however, ufter hnvinp
seen them once, should prefer to pay second vi
sit to the Cave and TO Trenton Falls But the
greatest and Purest enjoyment was reserved for
the last: N
n day passed in the society Of Mr. Madison.
olgAlcd at his commodous mansion about TO- and
designing 70 overtake mes eomPagnons de voyare
requested TIE servant not to put UP the horses.
bnguned ~ conversation, unconscious Of the paa
cage of time but by its gain was astoundcd when
summoned to dinner at 3. a convcrs; ton go ro
pIetc with interest," with instructive kno,ylcdro aud
useful information, never be eurpnssed tffo
commune with the learned dead be profitable and ,
Pleasurable employment, how much more valuoblc |
ana gratifying an intercourse with the illrstriou.
uVing' treasure his remarks as clcrant extracts
rom an animated fountain Of virtue wisdom and /
knowledge naturcd by the practical cxpericnce If
hall century devoted to politics literature. and
SCIENCE. mr.. Madison lives in state Of patriar |
Snai simplicity and elegance, resembling our own |
D'rToi' ana unlike other octogenarianS whose nc
hory only serves them to retraco by-pone events /
takes deep interest in the incidents of the dav /
ma IN the tranquil shade Of his native mountains
~ tuii possession of his original vigorous concep
hons, an awise Providence seems 70 have desion
"a mat he should long continue to remain bea
;on light TO guide, instruct enlighteu and bless his
courtyard his most exemplary and devoted
partner, blooming in tie freshness of unfadino
'outh, seems rs if allotted TO him by Heaven. bV /
Ter watchfulness and unirlnp devotion. 60 cl,oer
''s declining years and shield him from tho diseas