Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-27
MAMMOTH CAVE.


Its Wonders and r. auties-A Nash
willie Excurston-Brave Men and
Fair WOmen-Haps and Mishaps.
To the Editors Of the Union and American:
MAMMOTH CAVE, KY, Aug. "a, 1871
Our gay and enthusiastic party of fifty
excursionists from Nashville, chaperoned
by Mrs. o. and Mrs. c., will return home
this evening after q most beautiful and
charming visit 10 this great wonder of the
world. We arrived here on Monday,
rested that afternoon in pleasant antlcipa-
tons for the evening, which was passed
in dancing-the ladies looking as fair as
flowers and as neat as snow.
MUSIC IN THE GAVE. sod
Tuesday we went the ''shOrt route"
Wednesday the ''long route" returned at
9 o'clock in the evening, renewed the
dance at 10I o'clock to the music of
Hills splendid band, just arrived from
Nashville. Into the pleasure of this
evening we entered with wilder enthu-
siasm, for the music was excellent and
inspiring, and reminded some of US of
happier days agone, when, with lighter
its thrilling sounds.
We had music, too, in the cave; but it
was that of human voices. At the ''Star
Chamber" to the writer the grandest and
most interesting scene throughout the
cave, cur party sang number of beauti
fui sirs-this, when the lights were ex-
tiDguished, and ali the romance and mys
terry of deepest darkness were about US.
1t was beautiful, enhancing, and alto
gether unique. In crossing echo River"
too, they sang that sacred song E'The
Beautiful River" which seemed most
peculiarly appropriate while gliding over
the waveless bosom of its deep, solemn
waters, flowing silently and stealthily, far
beneath esrtb's visible beauties, with their
strange, wieId associations, their coming
unknown, and their going as dark and
mysterious. We were thrilled, nay more,
for it seemed as if the spirit of some
vieWless Deity was about us for the mo-
ment. What wonderful, mighty and in
comprehensive things God can dol
Your correspondent turned back at the
river, which he hopes not to do on that
fpGt day, but 10 cross over the river,
and rest for aye upon its fairy shore.
Yet, for the romance of the thing, he
bathed his brow in the cold, beautiful
water of that murmurless, mysterious,
mystic stream. He would ike to tell you
of many charming scenes in the cave,
which is great wonder, and should be
visited by all who are fond of the grand,
the marvellous, and the mighty-but it
would make his communication 100 long,
thus to particularize. Many pleasing
little incidents occurred with us, and the
wit and bumor that were calculated from
time to time, were altogether enjoyable
and refreshing.
MIsHAPs.
Happily, no serious accidents happened
to us, but the escape from several seemed
most fortunate.
The gallant Mr.. McA., fell into what
appeared bottomless fssure, but, unlike
AbsalOm in the oak, he hung on the edges
by spreading out his arms instead of his
hair. The modest Mr.. L had his 8jncj-
pat slightly lscerated, and much con-
fused by luckless butt against an obsli-
nate rock. The valient Maj. O., fell
while passing the slippery banks of the
'Desd Sea-, and would have been pre-
cipitsted into the dark waters far beneath,
but for the assistance of the fair one
whom he escorted, and who held to, aud
rescued him with a herOism that would
have. done credit to Spartan damssl.
Women are always doing something good
and beautiful.
As is usual when men and women are
thrown together, there was some love
| making, but no heart breaking.
LEE MONUMENT.
About one-half mile from the entrance
| of the cave is monument Of rude stones
thrown up in memory of the great and
lamented Gen. Lee, ard on large one
that stands perpendicularly in the front
of the monument, his name is written.
| Noble idea! for well may the name and
| fame Of this incompatible man be iden-
tilted with the grandeur and perpetuity of
this mighty phenomenon, for he, too, was
one of Gods glorious wonders. We
stopped and added few stones TO the
! monument in attestation of our venera-
| ton of the noble hero.
But the time approaches for US to
leave, and must conclude by saying that
a happier, more harmonious and delight
ed party never visited Kentucky's great
| prodigy; and l doubt if more charming
or chiValric one wss ever there. Our la
dies were as beautiful as songs, and our
| gentlemen IS gallant as knights.
THE RETURN.
We return full of pleasant and happy
"reminiscences, and Twill long delight to
1. Al r
band has come to the front gate, and bids
US 3 lively farewell IN the tune Of
''Dixie," and with waving hats and
handkerchiefs, and shouts of "Bhree
cheers for the Nashville party and the
! Mammoth Cave, We make our adieu.
CORRESPONDENT.