The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-07-26
BEL AIR, MD. FRIDAY MORNING. JULY 26, 1867

us, however, that two other individuals
have since made the same descent.
There are said to be avenues leading
from the bottom of this pit, but they have
not been explored.
We were informed that peculiar kind
OF rat is sometimes found in Groghans
Hall, OF size larger than Norway rat.
Cave crickets and lizards are also found
there. Bats are found in nearly all parts
Of the Cave.
This being the end of the journey, foot
gore and weary, We turned our faces To-
ward tho outer world, nine miles distant,
with the dsspairing reflection that il
could only be reached by walking. A
scat in q cor from that point would have
beon amply compensated for by every ono
Of the party.
1t IA unnecessary to speak of our home
ward travel, it being over the same route
by which wo entered. We reached the
terrene surface ut halfpast eight o'clock
in tho evening, after an absence Of eleven
hours and a half .
On the following morning. the mu jorIty
of our party left, without further OK plora-
tons but the few of us that remained set
out to see what is known as the "Short
Route" said to be seven miles in length.
Wa proceeded as before as far as the
Deserted Chamber, from which we dosoend
stairway Into tho labyrinth which leads
TO Gorin's Dome
Gorin's Dome is reached by passing
over small bridge and ascending o lad
der, tea feet in height. in the labyrinth
1t Is viewed from a natural widow stu.
ated half way between the floor and cell
ing of the Dome. 1t is about two hun.
dred feet in height, and sixty feet across
the widest part The far side presents
a striking resemblance to an immense cur
tain, which extends from the ceiling to
within forty feet of the floor
Gorin's Dome was formed in the same
maaner as the Side. Saddle Pit. When
tue far end of the Dome, which is reached
by passing through II small avenue to the
right, sillumiuated by Bengal light, tho
Wow Is terribly sublime,
The Dome is opo of the major curosi-
ties of the Cave, and no visitor should
leave without seeing it.
The Dome bears the name of its dis
coverer.
Returoing from Goriu's Dome, tao
next object Of interest on the "short
route" IS the Star Chamber, which is sit.
uaLed short distance within the Main
Cave. 1t is sixty feet in height, seventy
in width, and about Gvo hundred iu
length. Tho ceiling is composed of black
gypsum, and is studded with innumerable
white points, which by dim light present
most striking resemblance to stars and
at tho fur end of the Chamber il q figure
representing u comet
The guide takes the lamps from the
! visitors and descoads behind n ledge of
rocks, by which cloud is made TO pass
slowly over the ceiling and it is difficult
to divcst ones self of the idea that a
storm ID approaching. The illusion, in
/ deed, is most complete.
After producing the storm illusion, the
guide disappears with the lamps, through
n lower Grchway, several hundred yards
in length, leaving the visitors in total
darkuess, and re.appears at the eastern ex-
tre!nity Of tho Star Chamber, holding the
lights in advance, which, as he slowly
elovales thom from the cavern from which
he arises, produces the illusion Of the
rising sun.
We agree with DR.. Wright, that, with
the exception Of Echo Rver-the river
of enchanlmeut---the Star Cham Der is,
perhaps, the most attractive object in the
cave.
We did not pursue tho Main Cave be
yond tho Star Chamber, but returning
spent the remaining portion Of our time
in the Gothic Arcade.
The Gothic Arcade il entered from tn,
Main Cave by ascending flight Of steps
dftoen feet in height, to tho right of th'
Gothic Galleries.
We are first shown the Seat of tn,
Mummy, which consists of a niche in thl
left wall Of the avenue, about forty yard
from tho steps, just largo enough for
human being to sit in. The body fou1t
10 this niche, says DR.. Wright, was tina
Of u female Iudiau, dressed in the skin
Of wild animals aud ornamented with tn
trinkets usually worn by the aborigincs
A few feet distant, tho body Of an Indial
child, attired in u similar manner, wa
discovered III sitting posture, resting
agninst tho wall. They were both in
stale of perlect preservation. There cal
} be no doubt but they wandered into thi
avenue, and becoming bewildered, So
down and died in the position in whicl
thoy were found.
1t is supposed that pers> lost in tn
} Mammoth Cave, without hope of escape
} would die in short time. The s'len
, and utter darkness, as Of eternal doom
appai6 and overpowers the senses.
Thus, says DIR. Wright, on one occasion
gentleman wandered from his party
when by some accident his lamp was eS
tinguished. In endeavoring to make hi
escape, be became alarmed, and finally in
sane, and crawling behind large rocl
! remained in that position forty eigh