The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-04-24
"reminiscences Of Gibralter.


ruptly from the narrow isthmus called
the neutral ground, which practically
connects it with the continent OF
Spain. The eastern side, or back of
the rock. is almost inaccessible; and
on the west is the singular cave called
st. Michael's Cave, which is said to be
LILO feet above the horizon, and was,
during the siege of Gibralter, the
abode of many of the natives, who
fed there for shelter, their houses in
the town were entirely battered down
about their ears by the fearful bonn
bardment they sustained from the
French and Spanish fleets. This cave
is nowadays lighted up with blue
lights and torches for the entertain
ment OF distinguished foreigners, or
on the occasion of picnic parties given
by some one or other of the rich resi-
dents on the rock, and a lovely sight
does it then become. A military band
is placed in what is called the " first
hail." of the cave, while the guests fit
about on the short green grass that
grows on the plateau just outside the
mouth of the cavern in evident enjoy
ment of the view around them. The
ladies, many of them young and pret-
ty, dressed perhaps in cool muslins
and becoming straw hats, look like
summer butterflies of every color.
The scane, as we look downward
through the halls of the cavern itself,
is like one in fairyland. At the bot
tom is stationed the band their figures
and those of the ladies and gentle
men who stand grouped aronnd
them, ale rendered SO small from the
distance, or rather depth, of the cave
rs to be hardly made out while over
head perched on spire-like pinnacles
composed of shining stalactites, sit
men of the Royal Artillery, holding
high aloft blue lights and red torches.
The glare from these ia most refulgent
as, il belonging to another world
After gazing on this picture lOr little
space, we turn ourselves round, while
vet in the dark mouth of ST. Michael's
Cave, and behold in a blaze of sun
shine the lovely hills which surround
the bay of Gibralter. Its, intensely
blue waters are dotted all over with
vessels, whose snow-likc sails and di-
minished size cause them to look like
white sea-guils, folding in their wings
as they settle down on the water
There are on the rock, many other
caves, besides that of St. Michael. such
as Reefsteak Cave, POGO Roco, and
the Monkeys Cave. During the siege
all these were inhabited, and in that
of St. Michael body of the enemy
was concealed for some hours, having
scaled the back of the rock, but was
ultimately forced to surrender by a
body of grenadiers, who discovered
them. But now all the smaller caves
are fitted up as magazines, or are made
into reservoirs to add to the supply
of water, which at times becomes
rather short on the rock. The num-
bers of petrified bones which abound
in the cavities of the rocks, are worth
naming among the curiosities of Glib
ralter. Years ago the perfect skeleton
of man was found Embedded in the
rocks near Rosia Bay, on the South,
and bones of large birds have also
been found, all of them petrifactions.
From the appearance OF apes of a
species not known in Spain, amongst
the precipices and in the caves of the
rock, it was at one time cOnjectured,
from some fabulous traditions, that
there existed some subterranean COM
munication between Europe and At
RIGA, These rock monkeys, as they
are called, existed in considerable
numbers when the writer lived at
Gibralter, and used to appear in large
droves on the western face of the
rock, with their young on their backs
in the most approved Gipsy fashion,
Many All hour has the writer spent in
watching them through glass from
the town below. OF late years these
monkeys have nearly all disappeared,
a circumstance rather to be regretted,
as the study of their habits, as they
ieant about from rock to rock and
from bush to bush, feeding on the
Palmetto fruit, carrying their babes
in their arms the while, furnished an
agreeable pastime for the military
students of natural history during the
time of their residence in the garrison.
With the exception of few red-leg
ged partridges, woodcocks, teal and
snipe. which may be found in the
neighborhood, there used to be very
little game to be had. Eagles and
vultures annually visit the rock on
their way to the interlor of Spain,
and breed In the craggy parts of the
hill and these, with hawks and kites
are ofted seen soaring round the sum-
mit.-Et-C -Ceterd.
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SsNr,, eon eai1 O fond mana Uh0 wa .