The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-02-19

tooth spar, called the Mile Stone.
This pass brings you into Welugton's Gallery,
which taPers Off to point, apparently the
end of the cave in this direction. But ladder is
placed on one side, by which you ascend to small
cleft in the rock, through which you areat ush-
! cred into gvust apartment, discovered about two
years ago. This is the commencement Of C!evc-
lands Avenue, the browning wonder and glory Of
this subterranean world At the head of the ladder,
you find yourself surrounded by overhangins sulac-
tiles, in the nrm Of rich clusters Of grapes tran spa
rent 10 the light hard MARBLE nnd round and pol
ished, ms il done by sculptors hand. This is
called Mary's Vineyard.
From the Vineyard, enterance to the right
brings You into perfectly naked cave, whence You
suddenly pass into large hall, with magnificent
columns, and rich festoons Of salactite, in various
forms Of beautiful combination In the centre OF this
chamber between columns Of stanctie, stands n
mass stalngmite, shaped like sarcophagus in which
is an opening, like a grave. A Roman Catholic
priest first discovered this, about year ugo. and
with fervant enthusiasm exclaimed, 'The Holy Sep.
ulchre - which it has since borne.
To the left of Mary's Vineyard is an enclosure
like an arbor, the ceiling and sides OF which are
studded with snow-white crystalized gypsum, in the
form ofa sorts Of flowers. II is impossible 10 con-
vey an idea Of the exquisite beauty and infinite va
riety Of these delicate formations In some places,
roses and lilies seem cut the rock in 5as relief;
in others, graceful bell rises a long stalk, so
slender that it bends at breath. One is an adj
mirabe imitation Of Indian in tassel, the silken
fbres as fine and flexible can be imagined; another
is group Of ostrich plnmes snowy that n zephyr
waves it. In some hooks little parks OF trees
in Others gracefully cured leaves, like the Acanihus
rose from the very bosom OF the rock Near this
room is the Snow Chamber, the roof and sides Of
which are covered with particles of brilliant white
gypsum, rs if snow balls had been dashed all over
the walls. In another apartment the crystals oil
in the form Of rosettes In another called Rebeccas
Garland, the flowers have all arranged themselves
into wreaths. Each seems to have style OF for
nations peculinr to itself, though OF infinite variety.
Days might be spent in these superb grottos without
becoming familiar with half their hidden elores.
One could imagine that some nntedeluvian giant Ind
had here Imprisoned some fair daughter OF EARTH and
then in pity for her loneliness had employed fairies
TO deck her bowers with all the splendor OF earth and
Like poor Amy Robsart, in the solitary halls
Of Cunmor. Bengal lights, kndled in these beauti-
ful retreats, produce effect more gorgeous than
any theatrical representation of fairy land; but they
smoke the pure white incrustatons, and the guide is
therefore very properly reluctant TO have them used.
The reflection from The shining walls is strong,
that lamp light is quite sufiicien. Moreover, these
wonderful formations need to be examined slowly
and in detail The universal glitter Of Bengal lights
is worthless in comparison.
From Rebecca's Garland, you into vast
hall, OF great height, covered with shining drops Of
gypsum. like oozing water petrifed In the centre is
large rock four feet high, and level at top, round
which several hundred people sit conveniently.
This is called Cornelia's Table, and is frequently
used for parties to dine upon In this hall, and in
Wellingtous Gallery deposits OF fbrous gypsum,
white, dry, and resembling asbestos. Geolo-
gsts, who sometimes take up their abode in the
for weeks, and other travellers who choose TO remain
night, find this very pleasant and comfortable
bed.
Cornela's Table is safe centre, from which in
dviduals may to dverge in little exploring ex-
petitions, Cor the paths not lalyrnthe and the
hall is very conspicuous from the various neghborng
points Of view. In most regions OF the il is ha-
pardous to lose sight OF the guide. If you think TO
walk straight ahead for few rods, and then
turn'to him, you will find it next to impossible to do
So many paths come in at acute angles; they
look so much alike; and the light of lamp revenls
them mpenactly, that none but the practsed eye
ola guide disen,angle their windings. gen.
teman who retraced few steps the entrance of
the cave, to find his hat, lost his way completely
that he was found Cor forty eight hours, though
twenty or thirty people were in search or him. Par
ties are occasionally mustered and counted to see
that none are missing, Should such an accident hap
pen there is danger if the wanderer will remain
stationary; for he will soon DO missed and guide
sent after him. t..... ., ...s ...I ..s |
From the hall Of concealed drops, you may branch |
off into succession Of called Cecilias Groitoes
Here all the beautiful formations Of the surrounding
caves, such grapes. flowers, stars leaves, coral,
Sc may be found so low, that you can conveniently
examine their mnutest features One of these little
recesses, covered with sparkling SPAR set in si'vey
gypsum is called Diamond Grotto. Alma's Bower |
closes this series of wonderful formations. As whole
they called Cleveland's Cabinet,in honor OF Prof.
Cleveland, of Bowdon College.
Sinan in his American Journal of Sciences and |
,oIIs this series tho hlublster Caves,