New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-18
SUMNER RAMBLES.
Iewa scenery.


1t is not little remarkable to observe
the prejudice in the minds of many against Gale.
ma, on account Of the name Of the useful little
river which runs by il. Several passengers from
Chicago put themselves to no little inconvenience
tn avoid stopping there, supposng the place
haunted by fevers. "A rose BY any other name
would smell as sweet" but GaIena seems doomed
to suffer the penalty Of an map proprae cognomen,
or rather a misappcaton OF sound for the
fact s, that the river is named after Frenehman.
and is Fevre, not "Fever." The elevated and
rocky site Of the town would seem to Indicate a
particularly healthy location, and the report of
residents confirm this conclus on. The rugged
activities and abrupt ravines when smoothed a
little by culture, adorned with trees, and covered
with more slightly buildings, will add an aspect Of
wildness and novelty to its beauty. Some of the
houses are now accessible by narrow foot bridges;
there are the quaintest hooks for building n agi.
nable, and the neatest cottages, nestled in yer.
dure, and fronted by shaded lawns, are percbed on
hlll-sides, where they appear to much advantage.
The Episcopal Church, where we attended service
on the Sabbath, is on an eminence that commands
fine view. The great charm Of the place is the
generous spirit of social kindness which seems to
prevail; although we came almost strangers we
were made to feel at home at once by the most
cordial Of welcomes, and everything possible has
been done to promote our enjoyment. We have
seen something Of the best society of the
town. and shall depart richer by a number of
friends.
Yesterday morning we took an excursion some
fifteen miles into Iowa, for the purpose of making
discoveries in Cave said to have been found with
in six miles of Dubuque. The drive of two and
half miles to the ferry, was through picturesque
country, over winding ascents which disclosed the
most. pleasing views Of luxuriant valleys, wooded
ravines and extensive tracts Of cultivated land.
From considerable hi ht had the first view of
the glorious Mississippi, lying far down between
the hills. The river at the ferry was, as nearly as
could guess, mile and half in width, inclosing
many lovely islands fringed by thick growth Of
willows, or covered with oaks. The road winding
onward from the other side crosses some strips of
prairie land, skirts hills whose conical peaks are
crowned with rocky turrets. The woodland con.
sists entirely of light timber, in scattered growth
or openings" Of considerable extent, with grass
of the brightest verdure underneath, giving the
country the appearance of an old and cultivated
region, and everywhere the surface oi the earth is
covered with rich vegetation. Continually, on
ascending an elev alton, magnificent panoramic
views were disclosed, extending frequently over
twenty miles the hills, rOck-crowned as with
ruined castles rising range above range, the loftest
melting into the blue distance. The picture was
enchanting as extensive +; there were fields golden
with harvest and of standing corn, adows and
pasture lands of the smOothest verdure, and woods
where streaks of sunshine checkered the shade.
Few farm houses were TO be seen a circumstance
rather surprising when the advanced improvement
of the soil is considered. The distant view of
Dubuque, lying along the river shore at the base
of its hills was very imposing.
After many inquiries after the object Of our
search, we left the road turning to the Left, and
in about quarter of an hour, came to the house
of the proprietor of the Cave. 1t was a double
log hut, connected by shed, as many are built
hereabouts, one division having fallen much to de-
cay, and the whole dwelling bespeaking little of
comfort, although the interior was scrupulousy
clean. A somewhat saturnine old man nodded to
us at the fence, and gave US permission to alight
while his gentle and sad looking wife set Us chairs
out Of doors, and fetched cool water for our re-
fIesbment. Some cold water was thrown, too, up
on our enthusiasm about the Cave; though the
owner speedily got over his first IMPRESSION that
we were Iefarious hunters for " mineral" u class
he seemed TO hold in great fear as if his posses
sion could have been wrested from him. He as.
suTed us there was no entrance for US the place
was not fixed" several men had given up tie
attempt to enter, and latterIy, the proprietor had
refused to permit any visitors approach it. under
the apprehension that they might discover
another entrance on the property OF some Of his
neIghbors, who would thus come in for share OF
any native lead it might contain. We were re.
solved to proceed to trial " and as preliminary
Adjourned to the spring." which gushed-a
cool blessiDg-from under an ancient oak in a
beautiful grove near at hand. Here a picnic
unch war spread out, consisting Of crackers,
cake and cheese, and apples, rosy with the glow
)f Southern sun accompanied with draughts
f cool water, bubbling from the earth, more de-
icious than the choicest product OF the vine. |
Then We returned to the house, where the ladies |
hanged their dress for subterraneon excursion, if
practicable, and the old man led the way across
he fields 10 the opening Of the Cave 1t had
'een discovered while diggin for lead mine
al, several shafts having been sunk in the vi
unity. A hollow had been made by throw
ng up the earth, in the center Of which
ole appeared as wide as a well; a stick was
brown across the opening, to which rope was
led, and those who ventured in descended some
wenty feet perp, ndIcularly, entering then hor
oDtal passage so narrow and low as scarcely to
ermit one to crawl in, working himself along with
Iificulty, regardless of mud beneath and dripping
'ater above. IL was too much of an adventure
'r ladies, and we all preferred leaving the honor
I piOneership to one ADLER and more courageous.
lie promised not to be gone long. and We awaited
Is return on the outside of the orfce with all pa
eDce. When more than three hours elapsed and
e had not redppeared, and we learned, moreover,
hat the pit had not been entered in more than
ear, some unsasness was manifested soon ter
mated, however by the return of the under
round traveller with bundle of white stalactites
lime formations, very curious and beautiful
bch he had broken from the sides of the cave.
lie had not penetrated to its recesses, nor seen
ne largest chambers, on account of the extreme
Iiilculty OF the passage, but had seen enough to
now that the cave would reward the labor of ex-
IoratIon: The owner gave it as his opinion that
extended many miles underground in the drec
on OF the Mississippi, ard could be easily ex-
oied when once the difficulties of entrance
ere overcome.
IN the drive home we saw an enormous rattle
lake marching slowly across the road. NJ