Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-09-09
RAlE1egH, a0aT11l CAROLINA,

oal alIyInS away the most beautiful StalactlteS
was pleased to learn that the proprietor
has determined to protect it from any fur
ther destruction.
From the Chapel we decended a slopine
passage to the Lake This is an irregular
chamber, at the bottom Of which there is
a lake of clear cold water, which we were
informed had been sounded one hundred
feet and no bottom had been discovered
We amused ourselves by throwing stones
In the water to see the bubbles rise long af.
ter they had disappeared in the depths Of
clear water below. Here we rested short
time to refresh ourselves with drink from
the pure crystal water of this fountain, un-
reflected by the light of day and uurufied
by the passing breeze.
Next we returned and FASTENED to the
Bishops Palace The chamberis irreg-
ular in from sixty to ninety feet in extent.
The arched ceilings are about thirty feet
high, suspended from which are huge
stalactites of various 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 chandeliers,
rejecting the light of our torches, and Drill
iantly Illuminating the gloomy recess of
this world below While admiring these
habitations Of solitude, according to Sc
cret arrangement, every light was extin-
gulshed. The change from visions 50
beautiful to darkness SO profound, almost
started my senses with fear and dread.
had often groped my way through woods
and fields in the blackest nights, when
every light of heaven seemed extinguished,
but not till now did I ever fully realize the
painful sublimity Of perfect stiffness and
darkness. At first there was not motion
made or word spoken; all seemed atten-
lively listening to the silence of Nature
The death-like slumber that for 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 cathe-
dral of Nature, it seemed as if never be-
fore felt SO impressively the majesty of the
Creator of all this grandeur After the
music had ceased, one of our party fred a
pistol several times, the report of which
was deafening. As the sounds reverbera-
ted and echoed from room to room, till
they died away in the distance, they seemed
like the meanings of departed spirits.
We now relit our torches, and proceeded
to ascend our difficult and at times dan
gerous way through the "SWeet Passage. y
This path has evidently been worn out by
the water, which, in the rainy season. rem
oers IL aita.u'ss i..'Pv-s:a>i visit the cave
1t is so low, in places, that 1t IS necessary
to stoop and almost crawl to avoid collis-
ion with the projecting rocks above. But
the visiter is richly paid for all his toll in
ascending, as he is ushered into the presence
of the resplendent beauties of the 'Brida
Chamber" " The mostimaginative poet never
conceived or painted place of such ex
quisite beauty and workmanship. Thi.
room--the crowning object of interest
having been, lately explored, has escaped
the vandalism of man, and now reflects al
the unblemished beauties of nature It il
nearly circular in form and is about eight
feet In diameter Some of the incrustatieu
are massive, while others are as delicat
as the lily and frail as wax-work. In colo
they reflect every hue and expression
some are as white as alabaster, while other
are clear and sparkling az the diamond
All seemed fresh and new. Indeed, tn
invisible Architect hg not yet finished tn
masterpiece of workmanship !; the struc
ture is still visibly going on before one
eyes. One car see the water tricklin
down its tiny course, depositing carbanat
of lime to perfect the delicate point of som
immense stalactite. The sides and archie
are clothed in drapery of dazzling bea,
ty, rendering it indeed fitting type of
fairy bride. Queen Cleopatra, in all he
pride and beauty, never reclined in a
apartment more magnificent than the stBr
dal Chamber" of this cave.
Immediately above, and to the back
this grand apartment, and connected wit
| it by short passage, is another room cal
ed the "Organ Chamber" It appropriate
takes its name from the arrangement of Il
stalactitites as musical scale, upon whie
may be produced notes resembling the mi
sic of an organ the large pendants CORE
ponding to the low bass wires, while Il
smaller ones will produce all the differel
notes of the higher keys. The vario1
apartments are SO arranged that this is IL
last room to be visited which is worth n
ticing The closing scene is exceeding
appropriate. After feasting the eye upe
the splendor of walls, arches, columns, al
pendants, ornamented by an infinite A
il tist, and having filed the mind with Il
j painful sublimity of silence and darknei
4 nothing could produce upon the senses
j greater thrill of pleasure than to listen
] the sweet music of nature echoing and
echoing these halls Of solitude.
Reluctantly leaving this great orga
still sounding the praise of Him ssw
doeth all things WE'LL" we retraced our f
tering steps to the "Bridal Chamber"
take last lingering look on its grandel
dressed in thousand lovely forms. Err
here We rapidly wound our tortuous "
up to the opening on the top of the hi
+ near which the cave was discovered. I
: cave, in all its aisles and apartments,
t nearly mile in length.
= Wheat The Wilmington Journal
d Friday says:
: u Il L IL =