The new era., 1860-07-26

pie were present; and many thousands
more might hare stood within the ample
space. Balls also have been given in
still another splendid room OF this sub
terranean palace. 1t bears the name of
''Ball Room''--and gltters with stall
actrtes, as if myriads of precious stones
had been thrown lavishly upon the lofty
walls. We cannot enumerate and de-
scribe the various rooms in their order,
nor do we remember the names Of many
of them. In one was very large rock
precisely in form of coffin. which was
designated the "Devil's Coffin" In
another was vast armchair, perfect in
form, and more agnificently carved
and adorned than could be possibly
done by the hand Of man. There was
"Egerias' Grotto'" a fairy realm in
deed, with its jeweled ceilings, and its
sparkling floor. Who might not, as
was tabled Of king of old, become good
and wise, by one hours solitary refec-
tion within so magical surroundings
There was "Bowl- Room" shaped
like an inverted bowl it is true, but
80 called on account Of Il wooden bowl
and spoon, which had been found there
upon its first discovery, and which
were still to be seen. The one. how
ever, which really pleased US most, was
spacious room, whose limits the eye
could scarcely discern, and whose sum-
NIT was a vast dome, a most striking
fac simile of the midnight sky. Placing
our Pickering light IN the shade, and
gazing upwards, the very blue of the
armament, and the twinkling stars them
selves hun, distantly above us. Never
seemed more real the vast arch of the
Heavens with its glittering host, than
did that marvellous expanse of foverhang-
ing rock, unsupported by columns, yet
firm as the ''everlastihg hills" The
scintillations so successfully rivalling the
stars Of Heaven, were supposed to be,
on account of some micaccous matter in
the rock, exposed to view. from the falling,
now and then, of shelving fragments. =
This was appropriately termed tn" Star
Chamber" To some of these rooms
the entrance was easy and natural; to
others difficult. AT one time we must
traverse several yards in a stooping
and painful posture ; at another, by
windings through narrow apertures,
which only slender persons can manage
to compass. One of these is called un-
enphoniously "Fat Mans Misery" p
and one persevering man of the flesh,
whose ambition fo' sightseeing render-
ed him temporarily oblvious to the hor-
rors of eight squeeze" found HIM
self actually fast between walls Of solid
rock. He could neither go one way or
another. The guide and portion of
the party were in advance, and the re-
naming portion in the rear. We were
assured that for hours there was per-
feet stand-still. The more the prison
er struggled to free himself, the worse
became his condition; until finally,
ccasing his exertions, he was extricated
by actual force ofhis friends Bruised
heated, excited and alarmed, he came
to the conclusion that he had seen
enough, and instantly sought the upper
regions
There was a river Styx, over which u
rude bridge had been constructed; and
a river Lethe, also. In draughi
from the latter, our guide Stephen-o
Mammoth Cave celebriety-said he hae
drowned all his love-sorrows. Since
then, we learn by the papers that volatile
and voluable-tongad Stephen has drown
ed all his earthly sorrows tn that "rivel
that rolls around all the world" There
was 'Bottomless Pit" and every kint
of classical and unclassical beauty ant
deformity. Colossal stalagmites stood
massive, from floor to ceiling, while air,
and graceful stalactites hung like hug
] icicles from lofty roofs; in some in
stances single drop of water pendin!
from the lowest diamond point In on
, distant room, beyond Echo River w
, think, the walls are covered with brit
tie substance. perfectly white, and wea
the appearance. of having been abun
dainty pelted with snow-balls; henc
the name Snowfall Chamber
The fish in echo River" allude
to above, have not the slightest appear
ance Of eyes. They are perfectly white