Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-05-22
MYSTERIES OF HOwE's CAVE.

Doubtless all have had, at times, the desire
awakened in their hearts to see the mysteries
OF the " Mammoth Cave' to listen to the dull
sound OF the falling stone, dropped into the
Bottomless Pit" as il goes bounding and leap
ing on Its way towards that vast sea of molten
lava which geologists tell us of, and which must
be more easy to imagine than to describe. or to
engage the services of Charon, and explore the
unknown wonders Of the cold, black Styx." or
listen to the tales of ancient Indian towns" in
the interior of the cavern's nav, and wonder
how the race lived, and when they died In
dulging such reyeries many have sighed that
distance and expense render visit to this cave
to them impossible, nor seem aware that near
at hand cave Of almost fabulous proportions
and features is found and even slight and
imperfect sketch of it may prove acceptable to
our readers.
"Howe's Cave" is situated in the town of Co.
berSkill, Schohare County, in the State of New
York. and deserves the celebrity so generally
awarded to it of being the greatest natural Gu
riosity in the United States; and many who
have visited the cave of Kentucky, prefer to
linger here.
The town is easy of access either from Cherry
Valley or Canajoharie. Having safely landed.
(tor not being able to describe natures labora-
tory as it is, must need give our own experience,
We DOohtu our HdiltS AT tne - ave House.
and having donned a suit of clothes that seemed
to have suffered in a desperate struggle for ex-
istence with the old-clothes man, we descended
few stone steps, and entered with a shudder
lperhaps occasioned BY the cold blast that sa-
luted us) this wondrous boudoir of Dame Ma
ture.
In Entrance Hall we found ourselves, and
after lighting our torches, discovered it to be
rocky passage, two hundred and sixty feet in
longth, by thirty-fve in width. Being satisfied
with our view of stone and smell of dampness,
we entered Washington Hail." which is one
hundred feet long and thirty wide; here is a
beautiful stalac.,e, resembling the Father of
his Country, or what is really imagined to be
his statue. His mantle is falling in graceful
folds from about his commanding person, while
his epaulets, removed from his shoulders, are
hanging on the wall beside him. On the oppo-
site side of the wall hangs Lady Washington's
hood, every fold in the ample cape distinctly
visible Near by, at an elevation of twenty five
feet, is an altar, kneeling at which many have
taken the most holy ties, that bind for life The
ceremony solemnized in such place, the walls
blazing with the red glare of torches the solemn
voice of the officiating minister, must stamp the
memories of the assembled guests and produce
impressions lasting as the granite walls that
echoed their responses. n little removed is a
small statue of woman sitting in chair-al-
so withered hand, with beautiful stalactite ger
minations. "IIermit's Cell' is. the next object
of curiosity, but deserves no particular mention
save that all above us, attached to the walls, are
images of birds, beasts, trees, and fishes, until
one is almost ready to believe that he stands in
natures storehouse of patterns, and these are
carved out, of black and white marble, in the
matchless style of the Creators hand alone.
Passing through the " Tunnel" we enter" Cata-
ract,' which is five hundred and forty feet high
and thirty-fve wide, through the midst of which
a stream ripples and murmurs in its darksome
way, toward cataract never yet seen by man.
But applying our ear to a fissure in the wall
the distant roar of waters was distinctly heard,
its height or depth unknown. The very mys-
terry attending it renders additional interest TO
the hidden waterfall. At the Lake" large
body of water reposing in huge stone reservoir,
we step into large boat, and as the torches lu-
rid glare falls on the dark walls, the eve is be-
wildered by the multitude and beauty of the
groups of figures on which the light is thrown
Cornices statues, men, birds, beasts and fishes,
are seen on every side, and excite the wonder
and admiration of all who, like us, experience
the pleasure of visit to these enchanted halls. |
In "Music Hail." near by, is a huge formation,
called the Harp" weighing nearly ton, which,
on being struck, sends echoes through the cav
ern IN tones OF nneSt melody anu sounds OF deep
est pathos and most witching tenderness The |
musical education of the water sprites, or genii
of this cavern, has not been neglected and if
they could not 60 to the mountain, the high and
towering peaks of the "Alps" have come to
them, and from their SUBMITS we look far down
into dark chasm called the Pirates Cave"
Leaving " Mount Blanc" behind us we toiled
up the !" Rocky Mountains" clambering over
huge rocks and scrambling through chasms, un-
til We gained height of five hundred feet, when
we began our descent into the "Valley of Je-
hosaphat," passing the Winding Way" mar
row passage hewn out Of the solid rock, or per-
haps, channeled by a narrow stream, and Just
wide enough to admit one person at time so
crooked that we could see scarcely three feet in
advance, while the walls are ornamented with
most beautiful specimens of carving. We came
to the Devils Gangway," which leads to the
Rotunda," a room six hundred feet in height. |
This altitude was ascertained by the flight of
rockets. Being satisfied with having penetra-
ted four miles and half, we commenced our
return and when once again the suns bright |
rays fell on us our JOY seemed too great for ut
terance. Those granite domes and rock-ribbed |
halls showed superhuman skill of the great arch
itects own inspiring. Those sculptured and
wondrous forms of stone seemed angels work |
and not the work of change-the water-drip-
pings of ten thousand years. The Lake and |
Winding Way excite our interest; the Hidden |
Waterfall and mystic Harp stir feelings in our !