The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-07-04

large building for the maintenance and educa-
tion of orphan children of deceased members -
This institution is the first of the kind ever cs-
tablished in this country.
THE MAMMOTH CAVE.
The distance from Louisville by rail TO the
nearest point from which the great cave can be
reached Is S5 or 80 miles, This ride was taken
by us on Thursday night Upon arriving at Roll
ing Forks river at 9 P. NJ, we found that a tenn
porary bridge that had been put up to take the
place of a portion of the iron bridge destroyed
by fire recently, had been washed away by fresh
ct, and the passengers and baggage were accord
ingly transported across the muddy stream in
flat boat. The scene was most picturesque. The
ruddy light thrown from the burning pine knots
along the river banks, the shouts of the baggage
smashers, the scrambling of the passengers for
place ON the boat, all together formed u picture
worthy the pencil of an artist. After delay OF
several hours we arrived at Glasgow junction,
miles from the mouth Of the Cave.
On Friday morning after an early breakfast,
The parry sInr;e |, in Concord Stages Of unlimit
ed capacity for carrying passengers each stage
being drawn by four horses. Although the dis
lance was represented TO he only 7miles, il took
three hours to reach our DIES timliun. The roads
were simply horrible, something like We might
imagine Captain Jacks lava beds to be. Upon
our arrival we were met by the agent Of the
owners of the cave, and invited to see its Won
dcrs free of charge. Guides were furnished, and
lighted lamp.
THE ENTRANCE TO THE CAVE
is a bout rs feet in height and 80 in width, and
just in front of it n small stream of water rushes
through an opening in the rocks overhanging
the entrance. AT the entrance rush of cold air
from within almost strikes one with n chill,
but as we penetrate farther and farther into the
cavernouS depths we find the temperature pleas.
ant, being, at all times of the year. 50 degrees
Fahrenheit. Our first thought, upon proceed
I,N H.
but soon our progress was stopped by grated
door, beyond which lay concealed the wondrous
beauties of the great cave. The first objects
of interest pointed out by our guide were watts
and water pipes used in 1912 for the manufac
turc of saltpetrc, which is found in the earth in
the Cave. The prints of the feet of oxen, and
the ruts of cart wheels, made by the saltpetre
manufacturers are still seen-having been made,
doubtless .Nhen the soil was damp, but which
have SING eARrendercd permanent by harden
ing. His portion of the Cave is called the
Rotunda. The ceiling is about 100 feet high and
varies in width from 10 to 175 feet.
Near by is an avenue where small stone cot
tages were built some years ago, for the resi-
dencc of persons afflicted with consumption,
under the impression that they would be bcne
fitted by uniform temperature, and perfect
quiet. These conditions they certainly found, but
unfortunately for the theory three of the pa
tcnts died there in short time, and those who
resided there several months, only lived three
or four weeks after being taken out.
The Methodist Church is eighty feet in diane
Ter by about 40 in height. BY stretch of the
Imagination ledge of rocks % feet in height is
converted into pulpit, and from this pedestal
it is said that the Gospel was eXpounded fifty
years ago
Further on the ceiling is archcd, and huge
rock is seen, 40 feet long, 20 feet wide and feet
deep presenting remarkable resemblance 10 Il
coffin. 1t is called the Giants Coffin.
On the ceiling at different points deposits of
black gypsum are shown, some of which are of
grotesquc shapes One of these is called the
Ant Eater; another looks like Giant Wife and
Child. The figures are in sitting posture, and
the Giant appears to be in the act of tossing the
child to the Giantess.
We were next shown Wooden Bowl Cave, Mar
tha's Palace and Side Saddle Pit-none of which
are remarkable-eXcept perhaps, the latter, and
that only from the curiosity excited as to why
it should have been called "Side Saddle Pit i" us
it is as much like anything in the world rs Il
side saddle.
THE BoTToM.Ess PIT
ii has been asccrtaincd, has bottom. 1t is l15
feet deep and of an average width of Is feet. 1t
is crossed on n strong wooden bridge, called the
Bridge of Signs, from which it may be viewed in
safety. 1t is a gloomy place. and well deserves
its name.
shelby's Dome, 60 feet in height, rests over
the Pit.
On leaving the Bottomlcss Pit room is en-
tered, called Revcllcr's Hall, and the scattered
champagne bottles fully denote that it has been
used rs Il place of refreshmcnt more than once.
We next pass through low archway, about
four feet in height with smooth white ceiling
that looks as if it had been plastered. This is
called the Vale of Humility.
FAT MANS MISERY
is a narrow, tortuous pathway, so yards long,
and varying in width from Is inches to three feet
1t has evidently been made by the action of wa
ter, to which is also due nearly all the singular
iOrml tiOnS which to be seen here
GREAT RELIEF
is a large chamber into which we pass from Fat
Mans Misery, and rest awhile before proceeding
We are next shown q long, low chamber, the
ceiling of which is studded with small masses
Of rock, supposed to resemble bacon hams. We
must confess our inability to see the resemblance,
but when lighted up with the glare Of thirty
lamps, it was very picturesque.
TIE DEAD SEA-
Passing through the River Hail. We reach the
Dead Sea, beyond which is the River StyX. This
portion of the Cave is gloomy and terrible in the
extreme, and the passage around the Dead Sea
is attended with considerable danger. The Sea
is pool % feet deep, 80 feet long and ID feet
wide. The pathway is along sloping bank,
made slippery by constant moisture upon which,
it would be exceedingly dangerous to venture,
were it not for the assistance afforded by slight
iron railing. Farther on we reach the River
StyX, and peer vainly into the gloomy depths
beyond for old Charon and his boat. The river is
$50 yards long, 10 to 40 feet widc and varies from
50 to 40 feet in depth Occasionally it is said to
fill entirely to the ceiling the passage through
which its waters flow. The view from this point,
Illuminated with Il Bengal light, was sublime
and terrible.
Returning into River Hall, we descend pair
of steps into the Labyrinth, as it is called, and
ascending a ladder, reach Gorin's Dome We
are shown small opening in the side of the
dome, and told to wait few moments. The
guide disappears, and presently the interior is
Illuminated by him, presenting grand and beau
tiful picture. The point where we stand is about
domc-the latter being 200 feet high and 80 feet
wide. The side opposite the opening is striking
ly like an immense curtain.
THE STAR CHAMBER.
One of the most striking scenes is the Star
Chamber. 1t is 60 feet in height, 20 in width and
about 500 feet long. We are requested by the
guide to take seats, and eXtinguish our lamps.
This being DONE upon looking up Mt the ceiling
it is difficult to realize that we are not gazing
on the open vault of heaven. 1t, appears to be
thickly studded with innumerablc stars, which
seem TO twinkle as we look, The guide passes
through passage way beneath, and as the rays
of his lamp grow fainter and fainter the star
points shine out more brightly and then,
as he proceeds, dark shadow, as of rapidly
approaching storm, passes over the scene, and
we are left in profound darkness. In 4 few mo.
ments faint flush of light appears at the other
end of the avenue, which grows brighter and
brighter, like the rising moon; and our guide,
who has been the sorcerer that has conjured up
this fairy scene, rc-appears with his lamp. While
the darkness was at its greatest depth, the entire
party, with one voice, sang praise God from
whom all blessings flow" to the grand tune Of
Old Hundred. The effect was sublime, and we
could not fail to realize that ''Heaven and earth
are full of the majesty of His glory"
We then sought the entrance, and were glad
to see the sunlight once more. The interior of
the Gave Is nnrtectlY dry cXcnnt In the npinhhnr-