New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-04-23

Written for the C,escentJ
Visit to the Great Matanzas Cave In Cuba.
Following the usual practice Of all visitors to
Cuba, have gone to see this great curiosity, and
have penetrated far into the bowels Of the earth
as is admissible in that locality. Not to weary the
reader with an account of the discomforts of reach
ing itof the terrific ride over road Of rocks in
the worst of all possible conveyances, volante,
and to which dray at full gaop on Tcboupitou-
las street would be smooth and pleasant-sufflce
it to say, we got there, as customary, in bad hu-
NOR, duly enrolled in the visitors book,
which contains some 1900 entrees this season, paid
our dollar and " went in.n
The first descent is about $50 feet, into what
they call the Gothic Temple, because, I suppose,
it looks more unlike than it does anything else
rule found followed generally in the nomencla
ture bestowed upon the different portions of the
cave. 1t is a huge, irregular chasm, ornamented
both from the root and floor with few handsome
staactites the finest of which, forming what they
call the wardens altar" upon examination we
found to have had its grandeur considerably in.
creased with several very fine wooden specimens,
carefully painted to resemble the simon pure. The
discovery of this little Cuban touch of Yankeeing
did not impress US very fayorably and made us
less sensible of the wonders of nature the guide
subsequently pointed out to US. There is no doubt
IN the world but what art has been pretty heavily
taxed on account of nature: but then, it does not
be too critical SO far under ground and tried
therefore to see with generous eyes and believe with
like understanding. Leaving the Gothic temple,
which is dimlylighted up with gas we threaded our
way along one of the galleries; they are very ir-
regular in formation sometime rising, then dipping
still further down. now winding down into narrow
apertures that you have to pass through on hands
and knees, and then again opening into spacious
chambers of more or less magniicence. The
chrystal formations are of every kind, sort and
description. Sometimes the roof is supported as
it were, with immense columns; in others the walls,
floor and roof are all one mass of delicate and
beautiful net work, while stalactites Of curious
and uncouth shapes are seen every where. We
noticed that those nearest the entrance were dim
and dirty, probably in consequence of the action
) of the air upon them further in, however. they
improve in brancy, and under the food of a
strong light which the torch of our guide did not
furnish, the effect in many places would have been
splendidly grand. On we went, deeper and deeper
J with the internal conviction common to all cave
, explorers, that nature is earnestly protesting
against presence there, the air getting every
l moment more oppressive and the heat more sens
bly, felt. Passed :" the spring. where the thirsty
stop to drink; by the " sentne!s, two huge posts
of stalactites; by the Malakoff,'' and finally, al
the distance of eleven hundred and fifty yard:
r from the entrance, came upon " the organ" deci
dedy the handsomest specimen of the whole cave
Behind the organ" is the "grand saloon,''
e cavern of large dimensions. And further on,
short distance, is small lake which was the ex
: ploraton thus far. We were now at dept
e of three hundred yards from the surface
5 of the earth and two-thirds of q mile from en-
trance, where the only ventilation afforded to til
cave is to be found, and this through an apparatu
IT six feet by feet. No wonder, then, that the doc
/ tor, vino is asthmatic, began to wheeze like
y blacksmith bellows, and all the party complai
e Of the difficulty of respiration. This was allie
n Waited however, immediately upon retracing OF
e steps, which we did, through different gallery,
e the Gothic temple near the entrance. Great {
in was the pleasure experienced III looking at tt
i'd curosties of the cave itself, doubt whether tt
lie first breath of fresh air On getting out Of it did
5, surpass it.
tie The cave is situated upon the plantation of
to gentleman who derives the snug little revenue
al about $40 900 per year from it; but will do HI
Us the credit to say that he expends great deal
ok money on its Improvement 1t has never yet be
I'd thoroughly explored, and workmen are busy
y opening new galleries. One now in preparation
said to be very beautiful, the staacttes being
4 pnkish hue, instead of dirty white, was Il
er case in galleries before opened The cave WI
OF originally discovered by negro gathering ston
for lime burning. To the establishment of tt
lie darkey, the crowbar he was pounding away wit
H. all of sudden slipped through his hands, al
~ falling sounded into the cavern with echoes like
e. earthquakes frightened out OF his wits, he rusht
at home to his master and told the story at first
De was unheeded, hut soon discovered to be tru
The heat emitted from the hole for the first fe
IN days was intense, and it was week before it W
deemed safe to enter it. From that time abo
five years ago, until the present, the exploratio
Ill have continued further and further. 1t is now o.
Id of the features of the island-the Mecca of TT
n velers, all of whom go, see and believe. But
to for myself, while driving the detestable ro
Ill that leads from there, could not help echoing
at traveller to Vesuvus, Been there-nothing in it