Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-08-18

II - otnSoaFlAto q Commerce contains
the following communicated sr6n correspon-
dent III religion q lhe exrasrdnary salbbri:ylof
the Mammoth Cave 81 Kentucky:
THE MAMMOTH CAVE.
! ssesised from correspondent 10 Ken
lucky on whose information the mostirn.
plrsl reliance may be placed q letter.
eontaInlag the following highly interest
ing stale4fPt ! give bis own words:
/ fSince he experiment Of DR.. Mitchell,
the cave. Ithink will be very much visit.
bed'by persons inclined 10 restore their
shealih- Df.NMi,cAell isRof, a family the
most Sf whom have did Of consumption.
fie was conscious of bis own hopeless
condition 8hd III ofdsftlo avert lhecoasb-
iqssaoes-of the disease, determined, on a
tn The Cave In this be was
loppossd by his friends, believing as they
did that be could survive but week Or
two. and that going into The cave in1fhat
state would but hasten bib death| He
\ went id, however, notwithstanding their
objections, shout the FIRST Of April, and
established bis quarters near The Star
Chamber, cnly one mile from the mouth.
lie game out ofthe cave forthe frst time.
the lastof Janes snd 50 asionishingiy i'm
proved that be rode on horseback 10 Glas-
gov, aIdisiance Of IS miles, and joined Ia
the celebration Of the flh Of July al the
Cave. He told me that SO extraordinary
was the influence Of the air on his lungs,
that atthe expiration Of week he had
no coughi-.and his appetite, health and
strength, seemed daily increasing that he
lfelt lonely Tor the first week, but after
that, be preferreda residenceIN the Cave
70 any above ground. The peculiarly
OF the spot, be says, be cannot account
for, butts convinoedIt Will be experienced
by every invalid WING resides in the Cave.
for three weeks The Doctor tsld me Me
thought residence in the Cave would.
relieve any form Of pulmonary disease. 4
Ihave frequently before given accounts
Of this Cave in the Jourcal of Commerce,
with my opinion Of the saIubfity o. lis att
nosphere, from desire to benefit some
one il feeble health 10 whom life is dear,
aud its. prolongation snxiousIy sought for;
and such there are inigreat numbers My.
opinionpf the effects Of The atmosphere 8
the Case. ismade up from Personal obseri
yation. have known the cayelortwen.i
ty-nine years, have been 10 il at all
seasons of the year, during alFkinds o.
weather, both day and night During The
last war large quantities Of saltpetre we're
made az the Cave, and for this prepared
the carbonated alkalies, which are re-
quired in large proportion 10 produce
chrYstalizalion, sc. At that time fforn
80 e zqhanas EsEs slp ps stR il t he G sa
yeying II by oxen 10 hoppeTs in the Cave,
which are abou. one mile from its mouth.
During the whole. time these men wefe
engaged. which was for three Or four
years, there was not single case Of sick
ness among them. The atmosphereof the
Cave is dry,--and the temperature even
and equal. | have never known il to-
vary half d degree. through The year, from
go degrees Of Farenheit. Combustion
goes on well, lights burn clear, -respira-i
ton is easy. The earth, which had been
lixiviatea and throwno out OF The hoppers,
reimpregnaies again ID about three years
Welding from 3 70 5 lbs. Of nitrate 10 the
bushel. Animal flesh will moi purify lei
this atmosphere, nor viii vegetable matt
Ter deebmpose Meat hung up in the
Cavea few days becomes 50 strongly inn
pre- gaatsd with 1iirA asto become .unplea-
SAINT 10. THE taste. The corn c6S4left w
the oxen which we're fed 10 The Cave al
Fly years ago, are now 10 peiteci state Of
preservation; the logs used for water
pipes, ate sound and good. Animal flesh
dries in. the Cave, and becomes hard .-
These facts I state, thstmen Of science
may compare my conclusions and my pre-
misses together If
The location OF the Gave isin latitude
about 80 aeg. IS min. 10 Edmonson ccnn-
lty, Kentucky, Cd the edge Of the Great
Barrens, and 80 miles from Louisville
/ The Cave is Immensely extensive. My
correspondent states 10 me that Nessrs.
/ Allen add CampbellI artists Of great merit,
are al tue Cave, andfave been some time
lengagedEin taking views olit. The paint
lings 81 ihe Stalagmiis hall. The Church,
| the great DonHes, the BaDdittHall, and
The river scenery will be peculiarly inteE-
esting. The work will Be large one, CON
tanning descripaonssof the Cave generally
! and particularly Of the scenas represented
and Il. IS well as The engtavings, is to Be
Il published in England.
X AT this season Of The year strange cur
/ rent Of air rushes out p The mouth Of tht
i GIVE; ID the winter ,he current changes
\ andblows equally strong into The Cave.
/ 'sCave" is hardly 60 appropriate name
for tbiA stupeudaas and magnificent gro,t'
this nether territory.
II Theretcan be little doubt but that thf
Ill tiyers oflthe Cave have a connection witt
Isurface waters some where. Green Rive
Is veryl considerable stream, and passe
within d few rods 81 ths entrance 10 thi
Cave. Great Barren River, which i
some miles distant is for several niles
/ snbierTanean stream Muddy River. Sc
vefai miles farther ofsstill. rites 10 Logai
q county. directly out Of The earth.
The Gave Is Of easy Access, and the f.
. tigue Of searching twill Be very little "a
less than going to the West indies Or Flofi
The cost OF travelling nom this cit
] 10 the Cave By public convey snce. is aboa
! Eiwenty five dollsgs, The best NEoute
J probably BIZ Philadelphia. Bsltimpft
Wheeling and Lpuisyisle.
: Iundsfstand that General Leighi. o1 IN
y ~ ana Pendent Moore Of ColunAbi
2 (,oIleae have visited The Mammoth Car
z M pTestnf sum msf. T.. 81.
IA
I'LL. Il C.tarcs.-The Congress Of Tex
) have passsss . lay granting 2g52 acres