Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-25
The MAMMOTH CAVE.

ia ,ba Editors of the Union and American:
NASHVILLE, July "a, 1s7l.-Ihere are
happy improvisations-electrc IDEAS tnst
sparkle in the heart and hnger IN the
chords of memory like musical ecnoes; OF
such was the project of Col ID. L. Clsl-
borue. carried into most successful lrul-
tion bv the able assistance of DR.. Hoyt
and Dr. Horton, and the cordial co-ope-
ration of some twenty ladies and gentle
men from the elite of Nashville. This
nroiect was an excursion to Mammoth
Cave. Preparations were perfected and
the marty started in excellent spirits on
last Tuesday afternoon. Each one was
determined that every one should De nap.
.py, while some pairs were happier and
eventually happiest, being exalted 10 the
superlatiVe degree, near Lovers Leap
within the cave. This was undoubtedly
the merriest pilgrimage to the
CLOVER REGIONS"
on record. Underground tours are gen.
erally of e somber cast, but IN this case
from the start humor, fine and racy, kept
every pilgrim jolly, melting dignity into
smiles and exciting good nature into
laughter. The exhuberant wit of II. in
cited the liveliest sallies and finest reparte
from almost every one, keeping up flow
of iollity until the train reached Cave City.
Here DIR. Proctor prescribed and fun
ished a superb supper, of which the pill
grims partook with keen relish. Thus
fortified, they were slowed away in the
primeval vehicles called stages, and en-
loved series of earthquakes from there
to the cave. This was stirring, but wear
ing, and the pilgrims were glad to touch
terra firms again.
The ladies retired Immediately after
reaching the cave and were supposed to
sleep soundly, but ''ye gallants" hunted
up the village band and gave them sere-
made at 8 A. NJ. that awoke the hills, also
| a company of Chicago divines, who hap
pened to be at the hotel, and who duly
| signifed their Indignation at this appro-
| priation of Gabriel's thunder. At last the
horns blew out, the mild imprecation of
the diyines were stifled under the sheets,
| and Morpheus resumed his sway. Wednes,
day morning found the pilgrims rejuvena-
ted and equipped for the descent into
mother earth. Your correspondent will
| give no descriptions of the cave, for the
reason that everybody has or ought to
have been there. Inter nos, the real
reason is that he did not see anything that
day but the
NATTY, CHARMING COSTUMES
| of The lsdies-a clear case of eclipse
look where he would his bewildered vision
rested on one or group of bewitching
forms in indiscribable jackets, gold lace,
buttons and inexpressabie etceteras-
| Old Mat, the ebony minion of Pluto,
guided the pilgrims into the Cave and
through its gloomy labyrinths, closely fol-
lowed aud sometimes led by la petite
3. G., who
nIit our path to styeisn horrors,
With the splendor Of her SMILE"
A dashing personiticstion of Arla1ne.
Merry laughs and joyous shouts rose
along the way. While Mrs. H., the pill,
grim songslress, supported by the silver
voiced brunette, Miss L. N, the Vivacious
blonde, Miss A. NJ, the jovial Col. j. G.,
and assisted by the party, made the vault
ed darkness echo with rich melody. The
extent of to-day's journey was to
THR LOVERS LEAP,
where proposals were made by certain
brave pilgrims to leap into the future-no
! the sbyss-on condition that they were
properly folded in the arms of certain
irplgrims. The supposed result has beer
alluded to.
Returning we passed-escaped-tht
Bottomless Pit, and reached WoodeI
Bowl, where we met the Chicago com
pany, including divines, aforementioned
Item: 1t is pleasant to meet preacher
after escaping the 'Bottomless Pit.
The Chicag5ans gave three cheers TO
Nashville, which were returned with
will and much noise, startling Brown int
offering
THE TOAST.
ssMay Chicago and Nashville be bounC
together with ga iron tire" and in hi
patriotic ardor exhausted the contents Of
aueer-looking flask. Chicago duly re
sponded, whereupon Dr.. Hoyt made
neat answer, which was elOquently re
piled to by reverend lady from the lat
ter city. More singing and comic read
ing by Burbank, of Chicago, and the pal
ties separated, well pleased with eac
other. The pilgrims returned to the he
tel and prepared for the
DANCE Al NlGHI.
: This proved to be a handsome affair
The ladies appeared in the full glory 0
, ballroom attire, and were radiant wit
the exhiliaration of their trip. The hour
l dissolved in joy rapidly.
THK LONG ROUTE.
Thursday the pilgrims and Chicagoan
united, and with Old Mat at the head
| proceeded on the 'Long Route. :" tn
: gloomy caverns resounded with mirth th
whole way, and the spirit of darknes
fled. Pleasant incidents were CONSTANT
D happening, but those costumes still OF
fuecated your correspondent. He knows
however, that the ladies sang on Ech
+, river, and the effect was grand and SUI
passing sweet; also, that Old Mat got u
j an aurora borealis in the star chambe
. and then the whole company dined there
I, five miles under ground. 1t was declare
most wonderful by everybody but Oh
o cagoan, who stoutly insisted that it WASH
anything beside their tunnel. After dir
ner the journey extended to the ROCK
e Mountains, beyond which-beggung pa
C don of San Francisco the DEVILS said
u make his abode. OF course the part
= turned back here, though there were se'
/ eral offers to carry the ,divines over al
, see if Satan would flee. On the retul
t: the pilgrims bespoke the giants cofl
" for Judge NJ, and the world is hereh
n notified of the lien. Eighteen miles is
p pretty good walk for one day, but Il
=: Nashville ladies proposed and had dam
'e the same night in their cave costumes
re the most delightful distraction of evel
II male pilgrim. This is the first instant
lie of ladies dancing the night after DOH
rs the long route. Take note, ye tend
le specimens of humanity and dispair; r
q joice, Do Lewis.
ID Friday was devoted mainly to GROUP
er and billiards by the worldly, and to met
y itations by the Chicago divines. Ffids
I night brought
= THE GRAND CLIMAX BALL.
u The company having had most int
le esting and pleasant addition in the sha
\: of an editorial party with their wiz
= from the Esst, the ball passed off br
~ lantly. The fair pilgrims floated abo
u amid the sheen of silk and the sDoV
J, depths OF lace, the admiration of a
Us The quill quiVers with desire to reco
- the triumphs in grace, art, and wit
y. he that night; the ravishing scene and nc