Washington telegraph., 1853-05-04
wo..dsreul oave IN PsEry Cou..ty, Teansesse.

Wonderful Cave in Perry couaty, Tennessee.
A correspondent of the Memphis "Eaale
& Enquirer gives an account of sab:er-
rauean cavern some three or four miles
south of the village Of Linden, Perry coun-
.y. Tenn, which he recently visited. IL
says
me company having Inet together. ard
lighting caEalcs, (for We BAD 20 torches suit
able.) VIC entered the cave through small
aperture, and descended several feet over
narrow, rugged way. We proceeded some
distance, viewing on either side the various
crrioaities Of nature Ihe FIRST that attract
eJ CIR attention was large light, (as though
a great way oiF,) resembling chat cf light
ed torch. a. We approached we were as
tonished to find instead Of torches, q large
opening from above, admitting rays Of light
from the upper air down into this dark
dungeon of nature. We stood fyr while
viewing through this opening the magrif-
cence of the heavens, and meditating upon
the great works of God Above, were All
the beauties Of the heavens the productive
soil yielding its vegetation; tie beautiful
trees adorning the hills and valleys; while
below was an extensive subterranean hail.
formed with the utmost regularity; ceiled
over head with perfectly smooth surface,
on Gle side a flush stream Of water which
runs the whole length Of ihe cave, ripping
DER its pebbiy bottom with the harmony
CT uusic.
Being somewhat dissatisfied with or ex-
amiration Of this apartment, our hearts Glow
ing with wonder, love and praise to the great
Archtcct-we moved slowly, and rather
pensivoly, along this solitary naBsioa, tbro'
devious wiles Of i1cogntta ioca i'll quest vi
new discoveries.
The discoveries NC made were an almost
Infinite number Of stalactites. which had
been formed by the continued dripping Of
the water, resembling in size and appearance,
various bodies. Among these was tic most
beautiful bee e-Live, both fer size aud con
struction, I ever bchold 1t was exactly in
the centre OF smooth piece Of limestone,
and two and half feet square. This hive
is large in proportion to the square block
tapering from the base regularly 70 the
heiqLt Of three or four f1at --
But the most interesting part Of this cave
is the ball room, which is about three hun
dred yards from the entrance. 1t really
appeared as if nature, in her wild and play
ful moments, had intended to mock the GU
riosities Of art Here the astCnished behold
or is shown the graudest and most magnif
cent suite OF rooms the eyes ever beheld,
formed ON each side with the utmost regu-
larity, ceiled over head with smooth blue
limestone surface, and tie floor, Mhitened
with saltpetre aud a. level As 4 mirror.
The name Ball Room" was given to this
apartment from the fact that the citizens Of
Perry. during the Christmas holidays, gave
hall at this place in this room, which was
attended by quite number Of bellies and
beaux for miles around This is the first
sublerranean dance. | presume, upon record.
After inscribing our names On the wall,
among hundreds Of other curious explorers,
we retired from those dark and splendid
abodes, determined at some future time to
explore more fully this prodigy Of nature.