The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1841-12-11
CORRESPONDENCE.
[For the Hhig.]

DEAR 'RlcKETTs:-ln one of my per-
ambulations, not long since, ] blundered
into 'Clark's Cave, which interested me so
much, that | have sat down tc give ven a
uesl Flpti9E,, of it, thinkin rhdl peril ps il
nigh .sot be unintereoii,g 'o Itu~ ca
ders.
This cave is situated in the viciu,y q,
GAINESVILLE, Is miles from Alha.>, al
takes its name from the proprietor oi liz.
land upon which it was diseovr.'' Hon
the discovery of the cavern originated, | did
| not learn, but this occurred recently, as the
| Oldest date ! observed, was 1921, and as
there were quite number of these etched
on its rocky sides, concluded that this
was the era of its discovery. The sur
rounding country is picturesque and ro-
mantle as lar as a barren soil huge rock e.
and mountain scenery can max a couu-
try so. Surrounding the Cavern On IA
rising ground, is growth If snrIb oak,
which renders it. appearance any thing
but prepossessing. Immediately in front,
| the land descends for several rods. to
wards the entrance of the cave, which is
scarcely larger than sufficient to admit IA
man with ease Upon entering you de-
scend several feet, almost perpendicularly,
by means Of a natural stair case, formed,
as it would seem for the express purpose
of your accommodation, on the Jagged
sides of an uneoulh rock. Here YOU find
yourself in narrow passage leading to
| In Il l,l H.
mer, that you regret not having brought
an ovei coat; in winter doubt not.it wouI '
be quite comfortable. Followi1r hi
| passage for several rods, clanbering rocks,
and surrounding the distractions vnn
meet with, in the best manner pcssaio.
you come to another descent, some wilma.
greater than the first, after de,ccnl.-
which, you find yourself in quite Spa-
cious apartment, with rough rocky cell
ing over your head, from which hang
spars of solid limestone, in the shape OF
icicles, formed, undoubtedly, in similar
manner. The floor i, uneven, in some
places formed of solid rock, and in other
places covered with gravel. Proceeding
onward some Is rods in Il southr'n dir
ection, you come to what appears 20 he
the termination Of The passage, bu! by cl 'se
| examination, you find snail aparture
/ near the roof, and after climbing the rough
rocks, and tearing your "mas'nt-meniion-
ems" making the bump of benevolenc"
some what sore, from the poor objects II
encounters, and much tn the detriment of
your unfortunate beaver you al Length
gain the descent, and find yourself shut
out as II were from all connexion with the
upper world, the last glimmerings of day
light having long since Disappeared Were
| ever tempted to commit suicide, this
would be the very spot should select:
no danger of the carrion crows picking
the flesh from ones bones, and such a
mausoleum, almost equal to the pyramids
Of Egypt, or resting place in Westmin-
ster Abbey.
After continuing on your course for a
while, you find yourself amply repaid, by
arriving in most splendid part Of the
cavern, near clear running stream Fol
lowing up the stream you come to a broa',
sheet of water, several feet deep which
makes its way over a bed Of chrystals, of
all imaginable sizes, inviting you to take
a cold bath, which your ''sober second
thought" will doubtless induce you to
decline, as occasional mis-steps, lumb
ling you in over your boots, in every way
answer the purpose. Following up this
stream for some distance, you come TO
what bears striking resemblance to the
frame work of a ship. Upcr examination
it is found to be composed cf solid mas
ses of rock, formed in part by petrfac-
ton. Proceeding onward, you come to
an old skiff, with which to navigate the
imprisoned waters. After enjo, ing a
pleasant excursion, you reach the oppo-
size side, and are somewhat disapp oihted
by finding that there is not another crack
or crevice, into which you can creep a
single inch. You solace yourself how
ever, with the reflection that you have
travelled under ground only three quarters
of a mile, for the pleasure of padding a.
bout, half an hour, in boat by candle
light After reading the names scratched
on the rock and adding your own, to the
number; you paddle back again, as the
last rays of your candle are Pickering in
the socket. 1t is now that you learn the
real value of a iccofoco. A good memo
nv is needed on your return, lest you
take wrong passage, and 60 on making
discoveries, rather than making day light.
After an excursion of three hours we re-
turned, without serious accident, save
catching a serious cold.
Your old friend,