The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-12-09
St. JOhnSburN Vt December 9, 1914

count Of its being an enormous sllagmite, Of such
size as to I'll up tho entire passage. Its weight has
been calculated to exceed FIVE hundred tons
This rock rather stalagmite is one Of the most
interesting portions of tho cave to the geoogst For
when he takes into consideration the manner OF the
formation of staactites and salngmites, remembering
that when the water drops once in mnute,no form
ntion takes place, the succeeding drop washing away
what was deposited by the preceding; but that when
il drops in ten minutes moro the largest for
nations occur, he form some idea as TO the age
of the world.
Surprising this stolugne TO have commenced at
the dawn oft he first day Of the creation,
ii must have taken hundreds Of thousands Of years
for it to have attained its present magnitude Let all
who sceptical regards the age Of the world and
who adhere to the doctrine orils being emily six thou
sand years DID, with such frmness bids defiance to
all argument, come here and listen to the silent voice
of Nature. Nor is this ALL had the qualification OF
finding at the extremity of the cave, us yet, where
the foot Of man had before penetrated, petried
shells, imbedded in the solid limestone, more than
five hundred feet beneath the surface Of the EARTH
which proves conclusyey that the earth had under
gone successive revolutions, and had been rolling on
FOR ages this stangnite had its beginning How
great and wonderful are thy works, Thou Mighty
Ruler of the Universe And to what narrow limits
dost thou confine the knowledge Of thy ephemeral
creature Man
Crossing the mountains to Of the
NEST beautiful passages, mile two in extent call
ed the Winding Way. This is a narrow cut varying
from four to one hundred feet high and from two to
four in width II winds about in the most graceful
zgzag course conceivable, reminding of the fork
ed lightning as it shoots the painless heavens
The top is elegantly arched, and the bottom affords
the best walk throughout The being nearly level
At the termination OF this abarynth is the Rotunda,
the largest yet discovered. 1t is thirty forty
feet in diameter and extends upwards the asonish-
ing height Of five hundred feet The sides are iu-
ted regularly the pillars Of edifces pis-
,O discharged here produces the same phenomenon
at Musical Hall. This rotunda is six miles aud n
half from the and is Ear visitors are ta
ken. The passage beyond is very bad, presenting
little to interest, and until was there had been PEN
ctrated but few rods, as the passage was low and
filed it'll water
Having by this lime become much excited, and
wishing TO see the end, asked the guide go
exploring expedition, to which he consented, saying
that as the season had been remarkably dry, the wa
ter which had hitherto proved a barrier might posi-
bly, be gone. This partially the case, but enough
was left, for had 20 creep hands and knees
some rods in water two feet deep. We needed it
not, as the excitement had now become very great
In short time came into an apartment more mag
n6cent than any we had seen; like the last il was n
rouuda about twelve feet in diameter its height we
could not ascertain, but think it could not be less than
several hundred feet. The walls were covered as
high as the eye could reach with stalactles aud stall
agmites OF every figure, presenting spectacle TOO
grand to be described. On the bottom were thou
sands OF bats bones many Of them imbedded in the
formation now in the process Of forming and the
bats which appeared 10 he little disturbed by
presence made noise in the mpenetrabe darkness
above, not less than that of thunder
After gazing in silence, for words faied to express
our feelings, the Enthusiastically decorated walls.
which we took the liberty to name the Capitol,
long MS our lamps would permit, we retraced
steps, not being able to discern any beyond
fully satisfied in having gone farther than any other
man, and discovered the royal chamber of the cave.
Tho side passages did not visit These as have
mentioned numerous and very interesting, and
well repay the subteranean traveller for giving them
passing notice. One only shall aude to, from
the CURIOUS TACT Vi us containing hTge jan q Uu-
ter. This is about mile from the entrance, and
half mile from the main avenue, its width and
depth not known, but in the main passage, where
heard t,;he roaring loud that of the Faith
er of s,-Niagara. Hence the name of the cave,
Howe's, from its dsooverer, and Cataract from this
fall
Much more might be said, but enough has been said
already give the reader general idea Of this wonder
full curiosity Though the labor and fatigue may ap-
pear greater than the reward, yet such is not the
All are compensated in ten fold ratio. No
inconvenience is experienced Furnished with a'cave
Dress lamps and good guide, person is invsora-
ted, and lives new life the first breath he inhdles
Of the COO! and bracing air which fills the cave.
The proprietor is making all necessary Improvements,
and by next year one walk the whole extent with
perfect case.
Situated it is, thirty-two miles ives! Of Albany,
about the same distance from Saratoga, and on the
main road to Niagara, has but to be known, to be-
come as much and even celebrated than either
of the above watering places Already has it been
visited by thousands and remains to embrace it's mill
ions. ~. Il.