Litchfield enquirer., 1859-10-27

III ICdCittIy uHu IL Is SAFE 10 cuGtT vi
leave the Cave suddenly owing to the sudden
change. Our short trip lasted about six hours
during which time we went about seven miles
and explored twenty five rooms and avenues
each one, when lighted up by Bengal light
remarkable and wonderful for its strange bear
ty, and yet being entirely different from each
other, aud a just description Of them would
occupy volume, rot Letter The remain
der of the day was spent by some in resting,
others, myself included, in botanizirg, geologi-
zIng or surveying the natural scenery of the
hills. found farmer threshing wheat by
walking horses over it, and getting under the
shade of the tanning mill, learned that land
was worth about three dollars ali acre, that the
chills were common, that he never expl ,rcd
the Cave at all, but thought it was good in
stitution, as it made the farmers good mar
ket for their producc, also that Caves are quite
common, every hill being hollow, each farmer
possessing one. Leaving him l went to the
Green river and filled my pockets with shells,
saw the outlet of the Cave rivers, and then
clambered up hill four hundred feet high and
reached the Hotel in time for tea The next
day we started as before for the long route
We 90 over the short route for two miles, and
in doing SO found how imperfect my yester-
days impressions were. My eyes being better
trained to the darkness, enabled me to see
more and more beauty at each step. 1t real
" needs two Journeys to gein distinct knowl-
edge OF the grottoS domes, chambers and pits
that We pass The first view is lost in won
der, and the second assumes the real in u
measure only
We leave the Main Avenue at the Giants
| 4 NIffiu 1,rtr az
crawl along through several small passages,
some OF them bearing the significant names of
Black Snake Hole, Wooden Bowl Chamber,
Kcvelel's Hall, &c. Then we pass over Side
Saddle Pit, and also the Bottomless Pit" on
frall bridge called the Bridge of Sghs.-
Thu Sc pits from the roof to the bottom are
about two hundred feet deep. Finally
we leave this avenue, and pass under a large
hanging rock called the Scotcl,mau's trap, and
enter long passage about four feet high call
ed The Vale of Humility from this We enter
the Fat Mans Misery, long and very crook
cd passage, with plenty of room for the head
and arms; but we must walk in channel
eighteen inches wide and reaching 20 our arms,
which was formed by the rapid flow of water;
from this we come to large chamber called
Great Relief, which continued to Bacon
Chamber, the ceiling of which resembles the
interior of Pork House with hams hung
overhead, and place res mb'ing an inverted
Kettle, called the Old Lady's Kettle, the pur-
poses OF which may be easily understood We
soon come to the only water and slippery pas
sages found as yet, for it must be borne in
mind that it is only partially explored The
hrst place is the Dead Sea, a dark yawn-
ing guilt, around which an iron railing is pla-
ced, descending ladder we cross the river
Styx on natural bridge, and after series of
rocky ups and downs, reach the river itself,
which we ferry across in scow-like boat
Taking the Great Walk We reach Lake Lethe,
passing over this in a boat we come to Echo
river, Were taking ship again we go about
one half mile. This is truly ghostIy as well
as fair trip. Nothing more romantic can be
imagined, than Il party in a boat following the
torturous windngs Of miniature river five
miles from the open air. Not ripple disturbs
the water, and solemn stilImess reigns. At
hrst the ceiling obliges us to lie down in the
boat, then the Cave widens out to forty or
sixty feet III diameter. This is where such a
wonderful echo is heard each little noise is
thousand times repeated, you hear your
hearts beat, and multitude of emotions a.
rise; then one of the party begins to sing.
instantly every feeling is melted and Won ioin
IN the song even as if it We're peace Offering
to the power which formed such a stupendous
wonder. Nor can music ever sound finer than
u this underground CO.. cert room not a harsh
sound CRATES the ear, only the melody and rich
sweet strains are returned to the ear again,
TILL the mind is waited above the world of
| sense, to that realm where angels do continu-
| ally cry aloud, aud celestial music reigns. 1t
Is SAID that lnstrumental music is very charm
| ing here, and this we can readily believe, as
| Ole OF our party being of warlike turn, dis
PEELED our finer reflections 10y suddenly dis
charging his revolver, much to the annoyance
of the ladies and our ears, for never was thun-
der louder than it made, yet the echoes We're
very musical. These streams are connected
with the Green River, and like it, are subject to
sudden rises, the marks of which are plainly
seem Some narrow escapes are told of, as
slight rise shuts those beyond the water from
their way out. They are also inhabited by
eyeless fish, much resembling catfish. We
did not get any of these owing to the muddy
water but succeeded in finding some cave craw-
fish also eyeless, and perfectly wlite though
very small. One Of the party found large
out-ofdoor craw fish, it having come from
Green River. After leaving the rivers, our
way was dry and rocky and no very interesting
objects were seen until we reached Washing
ton Hall, .where good dinner was considered
quite interesting, and was we'll received and
disposed Of For the next two miles our way
lay through Cleaveland's Cabinet which is one
continued formation of Gypsum, Selinite, Sui
plate Of Magnesia and Alabaster, crystalized
; into various forms, snch as flowers, vines,
leaves, buds, tendrils. rosettes, sunfowers, cac.
tus leaves, &c. In the language of another,
Everything was there from the most exqui
: site aud perfect lilly to the elegance and taste
of the most elaborate Cornthian Capitol, fash
: Toned from material the most delicate, and o.
: . most pearly white" 1t is truly scene long