Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-08-16
For The Register.
EXPLORING EXPEDITION 10 VIII
TlNG'S CAVE


Rioe, Miss Hortense Koontz, and my
sell, set out on our long premeditated
excursion of exploring the cave at Viii
ting's Neck, northern part of Jefferson
county Never was there 4 joliier, or a
more free care party started OUT
by either land or water, than was our
little company of four. Having deter
mined to leave al petty cares ana an
novances behind, we passively resigned
ourselves to perfect abandonment OF
enjoyment to anything and everything
w,;,h which we might meet worthy OF
on;oviuo. All nature seemed TO Joll us
;npvr scheme for pleasure, and lend her
sweetest charms as her donation Tor the
Jay. which perchance was only reflex
81 our own feelings. BE that as it may
the sun never shone more brilliantly,
bringing out every shade and tinge IN
either landscape or leaf. The birds
,rilled a perfect chorus, relieved by an
occasional solo 10y robin or ball dnch.
About q o'clock We arrived Mt the
riace OF destination Equipped with
lanterns, candles, and 4 sabre with which
Ia defend ourselves against toads, frogs,
LIZARDS, or any other unknown denizcn
Of underground, we entered the mouth
of the cave. Proceeded through rocky
snbterranean passage some hfteen or
twenty yards, when we arrived at di-
erosion which we descended by climb
ING down and over huge bOlders. We
are then in massive rocky chamber,
the grandeur and magnifcence of whose
walls and ceiling shame those of any
cathedral ever have seen as daylight
doth lamp" Its rocky walls are dec
grated by natures carving and fresco-
ing. confined to no particular style, but
revcling in confusion of gorgeous va
riety. Lofty arches from whose sides
hang countless, delicate, slender, clear
icicle-s shaped stones of the most eXqui-
site construction. Then as if nature eX-
hausting that particular style, we turn
and see in another direction the most
gorgeous frosting,as though large drops
of water had petrified to clear, white,
stone. some running together, others
standing out in bold relief that glitter
and sparkle like diamonds. We then
ascend rude ladder, and from its top
enter an opening in the rocks scarcely
large enough TO admit our bodies,
crawlcd Qor We could do no more)
through passage, whose walls are IL
regular, dark stone, beautiiicd by here
and there a smooth knob or pendant
iciclc-shaped stone We then descend
by climbing over and down steep rocks,
the descent being so difficult that it was
necessary TO let ourselves down by
means Of rope, fastened round the
waist, and firmly held by one of the
party above us, by this means we were
prevented from falling in case we slip
ped. We arc then i'll another chamber,
magnitude, magnifccnce, and grandeur
far far eclipsing that of the former.
This chamber is on n more stupcndouS
scale, its vast rocky ceiling is supported
by smooth. clear, tiuted, rocky columns.
I'm the centre of the apartment is anoth-
or huge column,o on such base as have
seen constructed for fountains. 1t Is
about 20 feet in circumference, Of
smooth, polished white stone, inter
spcrsei with veins of brown, rlvalinS
in beauty the most exquisite marble. Its
surface is composed of alternate swelis,
and depressions i'll the circumference, rs
though portion of the mass had har-
d,ued before the addition of another
At its base are curious tureen shaped
excavations from which it has secured
the name of the ''Giant's Soup Bowl,
more expressive than elegant certainly
The walls of the apartment, like the
other, are adorned by the same gorge
GUS carving, except if possible more
massive glitterinG and sparkling IN
places, the rocks are perfectly crystal
lied.
We then enter an apartment where
all description seem to fail us. We re-
cover our identity for the first time since
our entrance, to feel sense OF inslSmii-
cameo in this stupendous rocky cavern
of heichth and depth. We climb over
a steep, slippery rock, which projects,
oyer what is known As the Wv ell:
Should we make misstep We would
fall forty feet, but by the assistance OF
our friendly rope we turn an anglo 10
the left, and are on little platform as 1t
were. from the top of which we look
down from two sides into this abyss OF
rocks and darkness, whose silence is I'M
broken save by the musical dropping OF
water. Here anything like order ceas,
es. \ stupendous mass of rocks plied
one above another extending above and
below in magnificent confusion. From
the sides of this chamber, as well rs
from other parts OF the cave, are numer-
Gus crypts besides the main one leading
10 unknown distances.
This entire cavern is adorned by the
same gorgeous stalactitc and stalagmite
decorations rs the former, with the adj
dition of immense hanging draperies ar
ranged in the most graceful and plastic
folds. clear, smooth, thin and transpar-
Ont. Also balustcrs or thin regular col
umns of clear stone, closely and evenly
compressed together, which reminded
me of descriptions had read OF Fngals
Cave in Staifa. also on some OF the
Rlu1Is of the Hudson, in miniature OF
course In one corner of this hetcroge-
Moons mass stands two high, slender
futed columns, like two lone sentlneis
over the confused heap. Our rope not
being of sufficient length to let us down
with safety, and perhaps for still pet