Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-08-08
THE WONDERS OF CALIFORNIA.
THE cALAvERAs CAVE.


nowned cave in Calaveras county, California:
We arrived about / / o'clock at Cave CITY, a
small and almost deserted mining town where
the cave is situated This curiosity was first
discovered by Capt Taylor in 1850, while shoot
ing at mark near by his cabin. After resting
a few minutes and taking dinner. we proceeded
with our guide TO visit the dark recesses Of Ma
ture. The first and main entrance is on the
side Of a hill around the angle Of iutting rock,
about three hundred yards from the town. This
artificial passage has been cut through the solid
rock about eighty feet. 1t was with mingled
feelings Of awe and wonder that entered those
still chambers, which for thousands of years had
remained undstutbed by the rude voice Of man.
felt like an intruder upon the secret realms of
darkness. As we arrived at the entrance each
of us lii our Torches and commenced in process
sion to grope our way with bended knee through
the low and narrow aises to the first chamber,
which is called the Know Nothing Lodge
The ceilings are high, dark, and irregular, and
are unadorned by stalacttes.
Leaving this chamber, we next enter "Regs-
ter Hail." where every visitor is expected to i'm
mortalize his name by writing it with charcoal
upon the smooth columns which line the high
ceiling. This passage leads TO "Column Room"
where there is large swinging rock SO nearly
balanced as to almost move by the touch of the
hand. There are several columns standing
which bear evidence of being worn out by the
leapinG cascades of water from above. We now
turn TO the left and crawled our way through
the liable Passage to the "Chapcl Room" -
This chamber presented many objects OF curl
o'ty and attraction. In the centre arose nat
ural altar of salagmites, while on one side is a
niche (worn III the rocl) which very much re-
sembles pulpit. The beauty OF this room. as
well as many other parts of the cave, has been
much marred by visitors breaking off and carry
ing away the most beautiful staactites. ! was
pleased to learn that the proprietor has deter
mined TO protect it from any further destruction.
From the Chapel we descended a sloping
passage to the Lake" This is an irregular
chamber, a the bottom of which there is a lake
Of clear cold water, which we were informed
had been sounded one hundred feet and no bot
tom had been discovered Weamused ourselves
by throwing stones in the water to see the bub-
bes rise long after they had disappeared in the
depths Of the clear water below. Here we rest
ed a short time to refresh ourselves with a drink
from the pure crystal water of this fountain, un-
reflected by the light of day and unrutiled by
the passing breeze.
Next we returned and fastened to the "Bish-
ops Palace This chamber is irregular in form,
and Is from sixty TO ninety feet in extent. The
arched ceilings are about thirty feet high, sus-
pended from which are huge stalactites of var-
ouS form and color, from one TO ten feet long
Several large ones hanging from the centre Of
the "Palace," with numerous small branches.
present the appearance of so many huge chan
deliers, rejecting the light of our torches. and
brilliantly Illuminating the gloomy recesses of
this world below. While admirng these hab-
taons of solitude, according TO secret arrange
ment, every light was eXtinguished. The change
from visions so beautiful to darkness go profound
almost startled my senses with fear and dread.
had often CROPPED my way through woods and
fields III the blackest nights, when every light of
heaven seemed extnguished, but not till now
did ever fully realize the painful sublimity of
perfect stiffness and darkness. At first there
was not motion made or a word spoken; all
seemed attentivey listening to the silence of Ma
lure. The death-like slumber that for a time
had bound us was soon broken by song of
praise, in which all joined with real spirit and
devotion. AS the sweet strains of music were
harmoniously reflected from the dark arches and
columns of this great cathedral nf Nature, it
seemed as if | never before felt so impressively
the majesty of the Creator of all this grandeur.
After the music had ceased one of our party fir
ed pistol several times, the report of which was
deatenlng. As the sounds reverbcrated and
echoed from room 10 room, till they died away
IN the distance, they seemed like the meanings
OF departed spirits.
We now rclt our torches, and proceeded to
ascend our difficult and at times dangerous way
through the "Secret Passage This path has
evidently been worn out by the water which, in
the rainy season, rendels 1t almost impossible TO
visit the cave. 1t is so low in places, that it is
necessary to stoop and almost crawl to avoid
collision ytb thp t,roiantipr rp.Ea ahOva Drt
the vister is richly paid for all his toll in ascend
ing, as he is ushered into the presence of the re.
splendcnt beauties of the "Brida Chamber"-
The most imaginative poet never conceived or
painted place of such exquisite beauty and
workmanship. This room-the crowning object
OF Understanding been lately explored, has es-
capped the vandalism OF man. and now reflects all
the unblemished beauties Of nature. 1t is near
ly circular in form, and is about eighty feet in
diameter. Some the incrustations are massive,
while others are as delicate as the lily and frail
as waX-work. In color they reflect every hue
and expression some are as white as alabaster,
while others are clear and sparkling as the dia-
mond All seemed fresh and new. Indeed the
invisible Architect has not yet finished this mas
ter-piece of workmanship the structure is still
visible going on before ones eyes. One can see
the water trckling down its tiny course, deposit
ing carbonate flime 10 perfect the delicate point
ofsome immense stalactite. The sides and arch
es are clothed in a drapery of dazzling beauty,
rendering it indeed fitting type OF fairy bride.
Queen Cleopatra, in all her pride and beauty,
never recned in an apartment mole magnificent
than the Bridal Chamber of this cave.
Immediately above, and to the back of this
grand apartment and connected with it by short
passage, is another room, called the "Organ
Chamber" 1t appropriately takes its name from
the arrangement of the salactites as a musical
scale, upon which may be produced notes re-
sembling the music of an organ the large pend
ants corresponding to the low bass wires, while
the smaller ones will produce all the different
notes of the higher keyes. The various apart
ments are so arranged that this is the last room
to be visited which is worth noticing The clos
ing scene is exceedingly appropriate After
ieasting the eye upon the splendor of walls arch
es, columns, and pendants, ornamented by an
infinite Artist, and having filed the mind with
the painful sublimity of silence and darkness,
nothing could produce upon the senses greater
thrill Of pleasure than to listen to the sweet mus
ic of nature echoing and re-eohOing through these
halls Of solitude.
Reluctantly leaving this great organ, still
sounding the praise of Him "wlo doeth all things
WELL" we retraccd our falternr steps 10 the