Morning journal and courier., 1880-11-03

Droncn or the peace Adu Iu6lr CdSSS COutlAuOO: and Judge Pardee, there being no more bus mess, ordered a recess until o'clock. He said he did this that any arrested persons might have a speedy hearing and by no pos sible chance be deprived of any right they might have to vote before it was too late. At 1 o'clock Judge Pardee resumed his seat on the bench. The only case that came be- fore him that of Smith, who was released on bonds.
 Lights and Sounds in Mammoth Cave.
 From "One Hundred Miles in Mammoth Cave" by
 Rev. H. c. Hovey in scribner'sl
 One day we learned that large party from Nashville were to visit River Hill and the regions beyond the subterranean strems; and, as they would first make detour by the pits, we easily got the start of them by climb ing down the Corkscrew. On entering River Hall, we found our path skirted the edge of cliffs 60 feet high and 100 feet long, embracing the sulIen waters of what is called the Dead Sea- Descending flight of steps, we came to a cascade, but little farther on, said to be reappearance of the waterfall at the entrance, suggesting the idea that the
 cave has doubled on its track.
 Our speculations this mystery were broken in upon by the hilarious sounds herald ing the party under Matt's escort, long before they come in view. There never was pret- tier sight than thismerry company, sixty in all, as with flashing lamps and spangled costumes they skirted the somber terrace, astonishing the steeps of that gloomy sda by the loud re- frain of 'Litoria" and other jolly college songs. They wound past us, in single file, disappearing behind rocky mass to come into view again on the natural bridge, whence they swung their lamps to catch sight of the River StyX.
 This body of water is said to be over 400 feet long and 40 feet wide. Our attempts at fathoming it's depths resulted in one of us falling in, and from his appearance on crawl ing out, we judged that he found an abund- ance of mud under an uncertain amount of water
 Lake Lethe comes next-a broad sheet of water formerly crossed by boats, but now skirted by narrow path at the foot of steep walls ninety feet above the oblivious wave, and leading to pontoon at the neck of the lake, from which we step upon beach of finest yellow sand, extending to Echo River, distance of 300 yards, under lofty ceiling mottled with white and black ime-stones, like snow clouds drifting in a wintry sky. rise of five feet would cover this sandy walk. which is it's condition for from four to eight months in every year. Fortunately the streams were low at the time of our visit, they usually arein summer.
 The connection of the cave rivers with Green River has been proved by the simple experiment of throwing quantity of chaf upon them, which comes to the surface in the upper and lower big springs; deep, bub- bling pools, lying half a mile apart, under the cliffs bristling with hemlocks and pines. When these pools submerged by 8 fresh ct in Green River, the streams in the are united into continuous body of water. At rare intervals the rise is so high to touch the iron railing sixty feet above the Dead Sea and for some reason the subSi- dence within is less rapid than that without. In order to save from destruction, at such times, the uncouth little feet built of blanks and timber, every one of which was brought in through passes we had traversed with diff ficulty empty handed, the boats are securely fastened, when not in use, by long rope of twisted grape-vines that let them swim with the flood.
 Four of these boats now await us on the banks of Echo River. Each has seats on the gunwales for twenty passengers, while the guide stands in the bow and propels the primitive craft by long paddle, or by grap- varies from twenty to two hundred feet, and its length is about three-quarters of 8 mile.
 The low arch scon rises to height vary ing from ten to thirty feet, while the plum met shows still greater depth below. The river cannot properly be said to have any shore for throughout it's entire extent there are only one or two points where 8 foothold could be gained Hence, the guides exercise the strictest authority, in order to guard against accidents.
 Tom secures for our exclusive use a boat smaller than those into which the others crowd. He then draws from hiding place a hand-net, and tries to catch for us a few of the famous eyeglass fish, that dart to and fro, but vanish on the least agitation of the water. His success at this time was not very encouraging. But subsequently,, on other trips, we captured numerous specimens, from two to six inches in length and usually destitute If even rudimentary organs of vision. Several, however, had protuberances, or sightless eyes, and one had good eye-sight The gradations of color are from olive-brown to pure white, while some are perfectly color less transparent. They said to be viviparous and, instead of bones, have mere cartilage. Agassiz held that these cave-fish ''were created under the circumstances in which they now live, within the limits over which they range, and with the structural peculiarities which characterize them are at the present day." But it is doubtful if there is more variability than can be explained by simple retardation through successive gen erations
 Along the water's edge are cavities, vary ing in size from 8 few inches to many feet, washed out by the stream. The Nashville wag saw his opportunity to break the silence that had settled over the voyagers, and shouted with absurd glee, pointing to the cavities.
 "Oh, see these little bits O caves-three for five cents!''
 The solemn echoes caught his silly tones, and bore them, as if in derision, bither and thither and far away. When the peals of laughter that followed had died away, a l quiet lady in black velvet led us in sacred song. The concord of sweet sounds was surprising agreeable; but the tones followed each other too rapidly to secure full justice.
 Allowing the Nashville party to go on with out us, passed the rest of the day on Echo i River, alone with Tom, floating over it's l strangely transparent water, as if gliding | through the air, and trying every echo it's | arches were capable of producing single | aerial vibration given with energy, as by | pistol-shot, rebounded from rock to rock l The din awakened by discordant sounds was | frightful. On the other hand, when the | voice gave the tones of full chord SeriGtina, they came back in a sweeping Grpeq9iO. Flute-music producing charming reverbera- tons The finest vocal effect followed the utterance, as strongly and firmly as possible, of the keynote of that long vault letting all | other sounds meanwhile cease the wonder full vibrations thus caused were prolonged for from fifteen to thirty seconds after the oripi nal tone had been delivered
 An extraordinary result was obtained by the guides agitating the water vigorously with his broad paddle, and then seating him self in silence by my side. The first sound that broke the stiffness was like the tinkling or silver bells. Larger and heavier bells then seemed to take up the strange melody, as the waves sought out the cavities in the rock. And then 1t appeared as if all chimes of all cathedrals had conspired to raise a tempest of sweet sounds. They then died away in utter silence. We still sat in expec- tation- To, asif from some deep recess that had been hitherto forgotten, came tone ten der and profound; after which, like gentle were re-awakened all the mellow sounds that had gone before, until River Hall rang again. This concert was prolonged for several minutes until the agitation of the waters had wholly subsided Those who try sheir own voices are pleased to have the hollow wall faithfully give back every shout and song, whimsical cry or merry peal