Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-08-29
WTRANsIRNT BILLs-nAsH-
The ''OaYe d the Fountaina.. },

Being recently In the neigbborhooa of the
"Cave OF the fountains" /" located near the cslo-
brated Weyer's Cave, in Augusta eouptv.
availed myself of the kind invitation of tho
proprietor to visit this great natural curiosity
This Cave, though discovered before Viewers.
has never been brought prominently to public
attention until within the last few wears. but
tue proprietor Is now prepared to receive visi-
tors and give them the best aceOmmodhtiOus,
Ihis Gave Is IN so many respects equal to Wey-
ers, aud IS 50 didereot from il in formation
and general appearance that visitors will find
that the interest IN one will not be abateGi bv
having hrst seen the other. Our party, cons
sistlng of two gentlemen aud three ladies.
whose bright eyes aud laughing Voices added
much 10 the pleasure Of the occasion. aseended
to the entrance OF the cave about three o'clock
on the evening OF an extremely sultry duv.
but were rewarded for our toll of the steam
ascent by the ccOl atmosphere which always
surrounds the entrance, and by the beautiful
prospect which opens to view from the eloya.
ted position. Just rs We entered tho CayeI
heavy thunder storm was seen approaching,
and shortly alter entering, We could hear faint
Tumblings Of the thunder, reminding us in
the weiTd silence Of those subterranean depths
OF the war of the elements raging Withouta
but alter descending sOme distance farther no
sounds reached our ears, save the occasional
drip OF the water, which in q clicking monotone
seemed TO be calling our attention to the hum.
bic, unobseryed agent by whose centuries Of
labor SO much sublimi,y and grandeur had
been formed.
From the entrance the descent Is vsry fapid
Tor considerable distance, and, in fact, you
gradually descend throughout the length of
the Cave, though at times you have consid.
cradle ascents to mako in passing from one
apartment to another, until you reach the end.
Where Te were informed by the aeeommoaa.
ting guide that We had descended thfee hmm,
tTed feet below the entrance. This Cave is.
throughout, one of great interest aud beauty
at every step you are struck with the beauty
OF the formation and with the many curious
resem6iances to animate life, some Of which
are so perfect as TO seem the work Of art. II
Is impossible 20 give description of the vast.
ness and sGblimity Of some Of fthese formations.
or OF the exquisite beauty Of some Of the
apartments, which with their snovV.whito
concretions of \ thousand various forms
present tho appearance of grOttOes beautiful
enough Tor the grOttO>lOving queen of tho
mermaids under the sea- The Impressions
made upon the mind are so various aud sue,
ceed each other with such rapidity that yOu
are IN continual whirl of excitement. The
hrst feeling is that Of apprehension mingled
with curiosity, and as this wears Of admiras
'ion, surprise and delight succeed each other
With lightning raPidity, and soon you are in
perfect juuible of emotions, each one striving
for the mastery and yet none attaining t..
Other scenes may be more perfect in the Do.
culiAr feelings they excite, but none can pro-
duce greater variety of feelings at ono and
the same time than are made on the mind
during visit TO the Cave.
There are many scenes in this Cave worthy
the pencil Of the artist, but l feel that NV pe1
Is too feeble to attempt to supply the peucil's
place. No mere description can do Justice to
these subterrauean Formations-thev must be
seen to be appreciated. At the end Of tho
Cave there are five large basins, which IN wet
weather are full of water, one of them was
about half full when we saw them. They ara
about a foot deep and very near each other
They extend across the passage, which, At
this place, is very narrow.
On retracing our steps, We wero shown
many interesting objects which We had NOT
seen on our way in-many Of them being in
passages leading of from the main passage. 90
that our return was as interesting as our enA
trance.-IStdunEoa Spectator