Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1852-02-18
A Novel Tour.


Correspondent of the Traveller gives the follow
ing account Of his exploration of salt mine ia
Bavaria
Just back from the village Of Ilallen and three
quarters OF an hours walk to the top is Hill called
Durrenberg, 1900 feet in height which is almost a
bill OF salt. Here are salt mines which have been
worked at hast GOO years, and the miners would
lave us believe, were even known and worked hy
the Romans 1000 years ago. Be that us il may there
are galleries aud excavations to such AN extent tla
1t would take two weeks TO explore than This
mine is very much visited account of the novelty
and ease OF descent, and because visitors are asf-
obliged TO ascend again to the open air The outlet
being at the foot of the mountain. We first obt,in.
ed permit of the superintendent, and then climbed
up TO the miners house on the summit. The work
men had just been taking their incoming, aud as we
were sitting in the office, they all in and stood
up around the room to answer 10 the roll-ca aud
then to take part in long prayer, principally TO tho
Virgin Mary, which the officer repeated.
There was something solemn in these exercises
Here were all the miners engaged in devotional ex
erclses, previous TO returning 10 their afternoon Ia
bors thus keeping fresh in mind the constant danger
of their employment. They never knew but that at
any moment the galleries might fall in and thus take
them suddenly from life. The services over, we
were provided with mining dress, a pair of over
hauls, coat, stout cap, and u buckskin glove for
the right hand, and lamp for the left including
thick leather apron, fastened on behind. Ladies'
sumo the same costume and cut the most conical
figure. Bloomeres are not required 10 make any
change the fastening on of the leather apron COM
pletes their costume. All arrangements being COM
pleted, started upon the exploration. We walked
at first 1000 feet througha gallery which walled
up great part of the distance then came TO our
first inclined plane, which about 100 feet long.
Two smooth poles nclining at angle oi 10 de-
grees, are placed side by side, about foot apart
You sit down your leather apron with your ect
serves as balusirade, and by slackening your hold
so as to allow it to slip through your glcyed hand,
away you 20 ike shot, or slow you choose, until
you fetch up at the bottom. The sensation of 6nd1
ing yourself descending into dark abyss, without
being able to sec its bottom, and by this novel mode
of ocomotion, may be set down as decidedly tetur
liar. We walked through a secohd gallery 900 feet
and then came to another sde and thus it alterna-
tetl-a long walk and slide. Far down into the
bowels OF the mountain is an artificial lake, which
we crossed in ferry boat, and which was illumna-
ted on all sides for our benefit These artificial lakes
are filled with fresh water, and the rock salt and
earth is dissolved in them until the water contains
suiIciency of salt when it is conducted of in logs
to the valley, and evaporated. At the bottom of all
the descents were TO make, we came TO an adlt
level about mile in length, aud perfectly straight
Here, wooden horse with two men fore and aft to
propel it, stands ready for us to mount We went
at first little slow, until we reached point from
which we could the opening. The first appear
ance of light at this great disance is precisely Ike
brilliant star. And now the runners attached 10 out
horse put extra speed and nway we fairly hew
through the narrow passage. 1his fearlul. speed
through space barely large enough TO admit OF your
, passng without touching top or sides, was enough
TO occasion very decided feelings of atorerisneSs IL
, novitiate. Ii did not last long the mile was run
in remarkably short space OF te, and we shot GU
,', into the dazzling light, opening as'
: shutting one eyes Ike 50 MANY owls, and looking
more laiighable than in our singular costume
t We explored in all only about $4,000 feet Of til
!, mine.