The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-05-19
THE DIAMOND CAVE IN KENTUTCKY.
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From an extended report in manuscripts,
on the Diamond Cave newly discovered in
Barren County, Kentucky. by Prof. g.. J.
Phillips. Geologist, tlats from England. J
We are permitted to make the following
summary in regard to this natural won
der: ~
The cave is si.uted n mile and half from
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad--
Bells Tavern or Glasgow Junction being
the nearest station. The celebrated Nam
moth Cave is only seven miles distant from
the same point. OF the interior of the cave
the Professor remarks: "'ln passing on,
| witness many unique examples of natural
beauty, swelling sometimes into sublimity,
reminding me Of the 'chalky cliffs Of the
Isle Of Wight sometimes followed out
into magnificent domes and pillars, uniting
the Interesting in geology with the pictur-
esque in scenery. In walking through the
spacious, well furnished avenues and halls,
We pass several wild chasms and gorges.
Pillars of stalac.ites, wearing the aspect Of
modesty, yet ready to crumble and crush
the beholder, recall to mind continually the
feudal ages. Farther on, We are reminded
OF historical monuments Of surprising beau
ty--now the bold overhnnging rocks, and
now the deep recess now the towering
mountain, and now the quiet and peaceful
dell. Er
"Turning our course, for awhile, we
meet with the climax of eceneograph,cal
wonders. We enter halls silent and melan-
choly as death. Listen! we hear solitary
murmur Of waters-the echoing Of some
thing isolated. perhaps the fall Of one drop
Of water in some distant hollow. The
stalactites and stnlagmites, how grand! /!
On either side is equal beauty. Beneath,
how dizzy to hehoid! Above what clouds
of flowing drapery, festocrs of romantic
richness, architecture, ornament Of carved
work in the form of a wreath of garlands
of flowers or leaves twisted together. There,
too, we seem to see sculpture as of the finest
workmanship limitations Of some Roman
figures, ready to start up into life. These
figures are from gigantic size TO microscopic
littleness.
81 followed my guide to the cooling wa
tiers. How pure! The marmuring strenm-
lets pass unperceirable, but we hear their
whispers. In advancing, on the right we
see popish figures, and groups Of animals
birds, fishes, quadrupeds and serpents and
many ancieni-like forms in anatomical
structure. In reaching the climax, we End
grandeur unparalleled. Larger caves
there are; but caves presenting greater
beauty. and more Of general interest there
are none. In this cave mono,ony is broken
and many other than inviting figures presen.
themselves"
The full length Of the cave is abou. one
third Of mile. The description Of various
localities and apartments Inner Grosto,
Bells Spring, Echo Hall, Semi Dome, &C.,
together with special, objects Of interest, the
"organ," "Pillar Of Salt" "Columbia
Column" sixty feet ip diameter, ornanctcd
with futed stalacti.es, their crystal mag
nifcen. in the ligbs,) "ArmadilIo StaIag-
mite, &e." occupy much space in this inter-
es.ing report, which the author intends TO
embody into work to be hereafter pub
lished. Our extracts give but very impef-
feet idea OF his glowing narrative. He
states that during many years Of travel in
Europe, Canada and the Uni.ed States, for
general observations in Natural History,
be has nosswi.nessed such "gem a. the,
Diamond Cave.