Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-04-08
Original Skett9fs,
For the Monmouth Weekly Herald.
A VISIT TO w CAVE.
BY $. MANSFIELD.

h term was over. Books were thrown
aside. and Geometry and Greek buried IN
Lforgetfulness. No more stolen inter
views aud protracted meetings III the par
lor with some gentle friend or snug
Cling of little loYe-freighted missives, and
throwing Of world speaking glances at
your fair n~eighbor, while the good pro
fessors were vainly eRdeayoring to inn
press some important principle upon the
youthful mind, or striving to elucidate
some abstruse point in mathematics. No
more sleepless nights, and days OF weary.
ceaseless toll. No more fearful visions
Of the long dreaded-m talked. of exam
~ination and stern Committeeman, haunt
ing the feverish brain like Hamlet's
ghost or some other d~isembodied spirit
from the great " beyond" All, all were
forgotten, and every heart was bounding
with Joy at the thought of going home.-
Our arrangements were soon completed,
and bidding adieu to teachers and friends,
and the little village of C--yille, en-
route for "Howe's Cave" At first a
shade Of sadness rested over our spirits,
caused by parting with friends, and the
breaking up Of long and cherished associ-
atoms but this soon were away and our
party were In excellent spirits. The
| morning was fair. with a cool bracing
atmosphere, which contributed much to
the enjoyment Of our ride and a few
hours pleasant drive over the sloping
hills and pleasant valleys Of Old Scho-
harie," brought US to our place Of desti
nation. We arrived there little before
twelve, in excellent spirits, and blessed
withal with a good appetite. After ind
ing ourselves comfortably settled in the
" Cave House." our first business was to
enquire after something to strengthen
the Timer man." when, o! mirabiie
dictu (" the proprietor coolly informed us
that he guessed we would have to exer
else q little patience, as he was under the
necessity Of sending over a mile for a
lamb, which would have to be dressed
dinners. We were completely dumb
founded but what could we do? We
might as well acquiesce, and make the
best of it; but we really believe had we
been in the habit Of using p~rofane Ian
guage, we should have INDUCED in a few
Understanding adjectives, just by way
of giving expression to car kfeeling.-
However we contented ourselves with
the idea, " that good things come slow
and in about an hour we were provided
with a " lunch" which for the time being
somewhat appeased our : hankering pro
pensities,D passed the time quite pleasant
iy until dinner, in singing, playing,
strolling about &c, while we we're EN-
ployed in a still pleasanter manner-in
watching beside our lady, who was quite
Iindisposed from a severe headache
When dinner did come it was a subert
lone and whether we did justice or not
after waiting so long, | will not say
[ will onlv state that there vas a very
sudden and mysterious disappearance o.
he viands, and edibles, that graeed the
we'll filled table. After dinner we pro.
ceeded to equip ourselves for our sub
terranean tour. The ladies, careful
souls,) had provided themselves with
. bloomers" for the occasion ; and the
gentlemen were furnished with a complete
rig" by the Proprietor but such a
comicle looking party as we were,
don't believe the world ever saw before.
The gentlemen looked for all the world
like a company of bod carriers" just
from "Ould Ireland" while the ladies
resembled so many wandering gypsics,
and after joining them in the drawing
room, we INDUCED in a down right hearty
laugh at each others outfit"
Accompanied by three guides, and
each of us furnished with lamps, we
finally started on our e~ventful journey
a right merry party, numbering in all
about thirty souls, among whom were two
Idivines, the Rev. Mr.. P, Of Po'-
keepsie, and the Rev. Mr.. c.. of
Westchester. Passing on through . En-
trance Hail." the cavern deepening in IN
~terests all the while we o arrived at
/" Washington Hall" This is a beauti-
full and spacious chamber, with lofty
ceiling, and perpendicular sides. more
magnificent in finish and design than any
work of art we sver beheld. Here is the
statue Of Washington" at large stalag-
mite Of considerable interest and aided
by a goode Imagination, might be con
structed int a resemblance Of that glori-
Ious hero. Contiguous to this is Matri-
monial Hail." which is another beautiful
room. but little inferior in dimensions to
the former, Here, as the Proprietor in
formed US, many a living pair had been
made happy () for life and father states
that he was vested with legal power to
perform the ceremony ; and should be
very happy to unite any desiring it in the
holy bonds of wedlock. But none of our
party seemed inclined to make the exper-
iment at present.; but we must confess
tjngdng from appearance-that we have
some fears about the future. Leaving
Washington Hail. we passed on, meet
ling with new wonders at every step.
until we arrived at Congress Hall.''
where, as was the custom. speeches were
made by members of the party, the Rev.
Mr. G., and the Rev. Mr.. P. The speak.
ers swere stationed several rods from the
audience, jet every word was as distinct
y heard, as though only a few feet distant.
Leaving the place in question we soon
arrived at Musical Hail." Here several
pieces were sung, and one or two per
formed upon the violin by Prof. d., one
of the party. The singers were arranged
a short distance from us, and the effect
produced was extremely fine one or two
good bass voices producing a volume Of
sounds as heavy as the notes efan organ.