Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-11-05
From the International Magazine
The Underground Territories of the
United States.
ICONCLCDED.l |

The Underground Territories of the
United States.
CONCLUDED.
The rivers of Mammoth Cave were never
crossed till IS4O. Great efforts have been made
to discover whence they come, and whittier they
20. But though the courageous Stephen has
toated for hours up to his chin, and forced his
way through the narrowcst apperturcs under the
dark waves, so as to leave merely his head
breathing space, yet they still remain as much
mystery us ever-without beginning or end, like
eternity. They disappear under arches, which,
even at the lowest stage Of the water, are under
the surface of it. From an unknown cause, it
sometimes happens in the neighborhood of these
streams, thar the figure of distant companion
will apparently loom up, to the height Of ten or
twelve feet, as lie approaches you. This occa-
sonal phenomenon is somewhat trightful, even
to the most rational observer, occurring as it does
in region so naturally associated with giants and
genii.
From the Jordan, through Silliman's Avenue,
you enter high, narrow defle, or pass, in por-
tion of which, called the Hanging Rocks, huge
masses of stone hang suspended over your head.
At the side of this defle, is Il recess, called the
Devils Blacksmith's Shop. 1t contains rock
shaped like an anvil, with small nky current
running near it, and quantities Of coarse stalag
mite scattered about, precisely like blacksmiths
cinders, called Stag. In another place, YOU pass
a square rock, covered with beautiful dogs tooth
spar, called the Mile Stone.
This pass brings youinto Wellington's Gallery,
which tapers off to narrow point, apparently
the end of the cave in this direction. But a
ladder is placed on one side by which You ascend
to a small cleft in the rock, through which you
arc at once ushcred into vast apartment, dis
covered about two years ago. This is the COM
mcnccment of Cleveland's Avenue the crowning
wonder and glory Of this subterranean world.
At the head Of the Ladder YOU find yourselfs sur
rounded by over-hangng stalactitcs, in the form
of rich clusters of grapes, transparent to the
light, hard as marble, and round and polished, as
if done by scuptor's hand. This iscalled Ma
rvs Vineyard; and from it an entrance to the
right brings you into perfectly naked cave,
whence you suddenly pass into large hall, with
magnificent columns, and rich festoons of stalac-
ttc in various forms of beautiful combination.
In the centre of this chamber, between columns
Of stalactite, stands mass of stalagmltc, shaped
like arcorhagus, in which is an opening hike a
grave. A Roman Catholic priest first discovered
this, about year ago, and with f,rvcnt cnthn-
siasm exclaimed, "Thc Holy ;rpu'chrc" a
name which it has since boruc.
To the left of Mary's Vineyard, is an ine!osnrH
like an arbor, the ceiling and s,Ics O! when are
studded with snowwhie cry$tajizcd gypsum, Ill
the form of all sorts of flowers. 1t is impossible
to convey an idea of the exquisite beauty and
infinite variety of these delicate formations. In
some places, roses and lilies seem cut on the
rock, in bas-rclief in others, graceful bell rises
on long stalk, so slender that it bends at
breath. One is an admirable imitation of Indian
corn in tasscl, the silky fbrcs as fine and flexible
as can be imagined; another is group OF os-
trich plumcs, so downy that a zephyr waves it.
In some hooks were little parks of trees, in others,
gracefully cured leaves like the Acanthus, 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, as if snow-bals had been dashed
over the walls. In another apartment the crys
tails arc all in the form of rosettes In another,
called Rcbccca's Garland the flowers have all ar
ranged themselves into wrcaths. Each seems to
have a style of formations peculiar to 1tselt,
though of infinite variety. Days might be spent
in these superb groltocs without becoming ia.
miliar with half their hidden glorics. One could
imagine that some antcduvian giant had here
imprisoned some fair daughter of earth, and then
in litv for her loneliness, had employed falrles to
deck her bowers with all the splendor of earth
and ocean. Like poor Amy Robsart, IN the son,
tary halls Of Cumnor Bengal Lights, kndcd
in these beautiful retreats, produce an effect more
gorgeous than any theatrical representation OF
fairy Land but they smoke the puIe white IN
crustations, and the guide is therefore very pro-
perly reluctant to have them used. The refiec-
ton from the shining walls is so strong, that
lamplight is quite sufficient. Moreover, these
wonderful formations need to be examined slowly
| in detail The universal glitter Of the Lights is