Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-07-15

GRAND ILL UMINATIoN OF THE "CAvE OF
FoUNrArNs"-The grand illumination of the
"Cave of Fountains" which took place on last
Wednesday, was witnessed by at least five hun
dred persons We noticed on the register at the
Hotel the names of persons from all parts of the
United States and some.from London, England.
By invitation of the Proprietor Mr.. Pirkey, the
Trinity Sunday school of Baltimore, the Andrew
Chapel Sunday school of Harrisonburg, and the
Centenary Methodist Sabbath school of Rich
mond were present. The Richmond party start :
ed from Staunton at about O. clock, and were
under the charge of Mr.. Asa Snyder, of Rich
mond The Baltimore and Harrsonburg schools,
accompanied by many ladies and gentlemen,
came from Harrisonburg, but were detained on
the way by the breaking down of some of their
conveyances. and hence did not reach the Cave
as soon as the party from Staunton did. This
was unfortunate, for coming in late, they did
not see the Cave when it was most brilliantly IL
Illuminated, as many of the candles had burnt
out but this was, to some extent remedied by
the free use of the magnesium light and words
of establishment ard delight were heard on all
Sides The Baltimore party were under the SUI
perintendence of Mr.. Msgruder of that city.
The view from the entrance to this Cave is one
of the most beautiful in the Valley. Before you
stretches away the broad bottom lands of the
Shenandoah, and at your feet plows the beauti-
full stream Of South River, fastening on to join
the larger river at Port Republic. To your
right lies the Blue Ridge and to your left you
see the Massanutten rearing aioft her high peaks
and in the distance apparently uniting with the
Blue Ridge, thus forming Gordon of mountains
around as fertile and picturesque q valley as
any farmer or landscape painter could desire
Upon entering the Cave, you find the descent
very steep and are reminded of the desce7asus
Geerm5 as you try to peer into the darkness be-
meath you. But coon g scene of rare magnif-
cence bursts upon your eye and you are Startled
at the life-like appearance of the statues which
are scattered throughout the large apartment
before you. You feel as if you were entering
the enchanted palace of some Gnome King,
whore all had been turned to stone and were
merely awaiting the touch of the magician to
start into life again. But the feelings of awe
and sublimity soon gives place to an all power
full curiosity, which prompts you to inspect more
closely the popularity of the formations, and
soon the Cave resounded from end to end with
EXPLANATIONS of wonder and delight as the large
party scattered into the various compartments
Thousands of candles lighted up the wondrous
pannelled walls, which form peculiar feature
of this Cave, and brought out in bold relief the
numerous monuments that stand like sentinels
in stony silence guarding some hidden treasure.
1t would be impossible to describe, in 30 short o
compass, the many wondrous beauties of this
Gave suffice it to say. that it we'll deserves
visit from sll lovers of Cave scenery and loses
none of its interest to the visitor from his having
first beheld the beautiful formations Of the Uorld
famed Weyer's Gave, which is SO near it.
Before leaving the Cave, the schools were al
assembled in the spacious Hall, known as
washington Hail." where they joined in some
beautiful choral singing which had quite nov.
ell effect in those subterraneous regions.
After few short speeches of welcome and
congratulation, &C., the whole party returned
to the Fountain Cave Inn, where they did ample
Justice to the fine dinner which the proprietor
had waiting for them and from the way in
which spring chickens disappeared, one would
have thought they had full grown wings as large
as an eagles.
It was a delightful occasion, and all were
pleased with the manner in which everything
had been conducted. In the evening, the Balti-
moreans and Harrisonburgers returned to Har-
rIsonburg, and the Richmond party and Staun-
ton parties returned to Stanton.