Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-11-09

, lngly on staiactltes and other formations.
Stephen has discovered some of the most
; beautiful avenues, but not having found
a new opening during the last year, he is
, little out of spirits. But he is great,
er man at the Cave than he will BE arg
where else
!, Proceeding mile or two beyond the
ravlne, you come 10 piece of water,
hall mile in length, and canoe hav-
!, ing been procured, Stephen yentured o.
j, yer It. He landed at "A rough avenue,
in which, after going about two miles; he
was apparently barred from farther pro.
gress, by its abrupt termination. The
sides OF the avenue arose steeply, but it
was discovered that in one place. the
rock did not reach the top Of the cave.
, The side was assembled, and farther D.
} pen''g WAS Tour miles in length. These
discoveries were not the result Of DAVIS
or even months exertions-considera-
1 Die time eapsing between passing the
ravlne and crossing the water, &c.
W hen Oh the water, there a fine echo
and slight MUSE reverberates like thun-
der. The guide illuminates this and
other parts OF the Cave which | cannot
refer to, by burning Bengal lights; the
effect is very striking.
Had time | might perhaps attempt
a description of the Star Chamber, Goth
ic Hall, Orin's Dome, Mammoth Dome,
&C.; but to those who have visited the
Cave it would be useless. and to those
who have not. doubt whether any ac-
count would be Ineligible. 4 travel
Ier soon finds that his own first impress
SONS are worth more to him than those
of others, and it is far better to visit the
Cave without the imagination being too
much excited. 1t is great curiosity,
but fancy may readily picture it to be
more than it is.
This Cave has long enjoyed reputa-
ton for the cure of Consumption. The
temperature is nearly the same at all
seasons. Sixty degrees is the average;
1t sometimes fails to so in Winter, aud
rises to go In Summer. Such patients
as are effected by the changes of the at
mosphere, may perhaps prolong life by
living IN the Cave. There are IS Or IS
small houses inside the Cave, at the dis
lance of a mile TO a mile aud half from
tie entrance. The patients require fire.
and the smoke, with which the Cave is
frequently filled, is very annoying. In
very hot weather there is a strong draft
of air setting outwardly from the Cave;
and IN cold weather the draft sets into
the Cave and carries the smoke back to
the water, where it becomes condensed.
( But when the temperature is nearly the
same without and within, the air is sta.
tlonary, and the smoke remains. As to
the idea of curing Consumption, Dir.
Croshan, the owner of the Cave, saws it
is wholly fallaciouS. In no one instance
has any patient been permanently bene-
fitted. Twelve or fifteen resided in the
Cave last Winter, for periods varying
from one to four months; but they have
to endure great privations. and It's far
better 10 enjoy the comforts Of home.
than to be buried in the bowels Of the
earth. 1t is fully ascertained tina. there
is nothing curative in the air of the Cave,
except 1t sequablity. and the benefit Of
, that has many drawbacks.
But my principal object in addressing
you Was to let oul citizens know that Sc
great curiosity was SO readily accessi
BILE. An excursion there can be per
r formed with as httle fatigue, and at near
, iy as small an expense as any OF the
| fashionable towns. There is an excel
lent Hotel, few hundred yards from the
mouth of the Cave, where you will get
fresh venson and every deIicacy within
reach. The buildings principally built
Of logs, no OTTER mateFfal 6etng readily
procured; but is coob AID comfortable.
fine piazza is two hu@red feet long.
paid SIX dollars week for board. which
is the lowest rate ever paid for such &C.
commodations as had there.
But without regard to the Cave, how
much does a citizen enjoy in viewing the
nobe cities IF the West. Pittsburg
Marietta, Gallipolis. Portsmouth, May.
vile, Cincinnati, Vevay, Madison, Lou
} isyille, and many others, are all on the
Ohio river, and are seen when making 4
. landing, and in passing down the river
Quite as much pleasure and health would
he gained by short tip to the West, az
. by pursuing the beaten track of fashion
) able tourists. You must see the Yves
if you want to understand what an en-
pire is growing up there. a. =.
"A gentleman just returned from Niagara
/, assures me that the statements OF gong Their
, for 50 and $40 are decisions, he travelled a
cheaply as he could, and 1t cost him doub'
: either of those sums.
90 &aE --