Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-06-04

nave ueScrlDeu, ndI2 from QlHercnt portions
Of the ceiling The pins are formed of stall
agmites, and the game seems to have been
unfinished, as part only are standing. Ad-
joining this room, and which you enter by
small doorway, is a beautiful lake, such as
the fairies might have loved to sport in.
Near this pointwe enter upon the "Alpine
Pass" which extends for some distance
Along this pass the scenery is varied, wild
and pleasing; deep ravines, yawning chasms
and rugged cliffs attend the entire way. Near
this pass is situated the "Lovers' Cottage"
1t is too poetic, too beautiful in its innocent
and rustic simplicity to be profaned by de-
scription. How it called to mind those ivy
clad castles which we loved to build in the
dreamy, beautiful long-ago. 1t is of Swiss
projecting cliff. Immediately in front is what
appears to be a flower garden, exquisitely ar
ranged, whilst the borders are fluted with
the most delicate stalagmites. In front of
the cottage formed in part by the projecting
roof, is a small porch supported by two stall
agmite columns, against which are leaning
two delicate figures. They are, perhaps,
whispering their tales of love, and we will
not disturb the sweetness of the moment by
further obtrusion.
At the end of this pass, we came into
what is called "Alexafi.ser's Ball Room"
which in point of symmetry, beauty, gran
deur and natural appearance surpassed any
thing we saw whilst in the caverns The
stand for the musicians, formed Of an i'm
mense rock, is as perfect as though it had
just come from under the hands of the
most finished workman. In the rear of the
stand is a large willow tree. The room is
large in its dimensions and circular in shape,
whilst the walls are festooned with curtains
of stalacttes, which are as delicate in color
and texture as any that ever adorned the
Palace of the Tuilleries. To the left of the
music stand is the natural music chime, every
key of which is perfect in its tone. The ball
room floor is smooth and admirably adapted
forcotillon parties. The cave was Illuminated
few days before our arrival with twenty
five hundred candles, and the brass band was
stationed at this point. One or two yards
from this room we descended one hundred
feet by steps to the "Crystal Brook" what
ever may have been its beauties and attrac-
tons we did not tarry long enough to learn,
for we lancied we could see petrified skele-
tons in every direction, and we made quick
retreat.
Wenext passed in rapid succession through
marble Hall" "Tho Harp Chamber" and
"Fish Market all filled with curiosities
such as have suggested the propriety of their
respective names, until we come to long
bluff of sheltering rock, which are perfect
pictures of snow-fakes, tinged upon the
edges and sides with yellow, as though the
dirt had settled upon it.
Next we visit the diamond Hail." the
brilliant and dazzling jewels of which be-
wilder the mind "and dazzles the eye and
tantalizes the imagination" Here are to be
seen numberless water falls formed by banks
of brilliant stones of various formations and
sizes. The ceilings are lofty and studded
with brilliants This room is five hundred
feet in length, varying from ten to forty feet in
breadth. The floor OF which seems to be con-
GREETED with diamonds. In all it seems a
palace built for conference of the Naiad
| Queens.
A little way beyond we come to most
| torriGn md fr,nktc,I =
and which has been APPLY styled the "Yose-
mite Valley" We did not stop to look for
the beautiful, for the frowning, overhanging
rocks, the dark canyons and yawnng ravines
drove us in search of scenes more soothing
to our nervous system which, by this time
was not in the most healthy condition
Closing in upon this horrible picture we
come to one more refreshing and romantic
one which infants of tender years love to
linger around. 1t is known as the "Lovers
Retreat" Here at the head of a serpentine
stairway under rustic canopy stand a
couple looking through cluster of trees
upon sparkling waterfall formed by clus-
tiers Of diamond stones, whilst in the rear
are paths winding through shady wood
lands Young man, if you are sick go there.
A little way beyond this sylvan retreat
we ascend few steps which bring us upon
the surface of large bed of solid rock, near
the centre of which is one of the most delight
full springs we ever drank from. The basin
or spring is most symmetrically formed,
and close examination failed to discover
whence the water came or how it escaped.
After few moments rest we resumed our
way along extended corridors lined with
graceful stalactites and stalagmites in pleas
ing profusion, through the gorgeous rooms
with splendidly tesselated floors, all excit.
ing our admiration and filled with the most
wonderful attractions too numerous to men,
ton and too grand for us to give the slight
est conception. We would like TO give a
lengthy description of "Diamond Lake, "
such as the goddesses might select for their
morning and evening baths, but we have
not the space.
Upon our return we passed another one OF
! NhNoN iNei ihi sNtHNS VI Nbith We lluNt sDDht1l
1t was in a chamber where some mighty
convulsion had taken place; immense guam.
titles Of massive rock had been riven and
lay in confusion; large columns of stalag-
mite and stalagtite frescoing were broken
and strewn over the ground.
We arrived at the entrance delighted with
our trip, but far from satisfied with the mea.
gre description, which we have given en-
tirely from memory, assisted by few notes
such as we were able to take during our
rapid tour of inspection
These caves were discovered last Fall
since which time hundreds from all parts OF
the country have visited them. A party OF
two hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen
went through the same ON the day of the
illumination.
After resting for few moments, we pro.
ceeded TO the observatory in order to obtain
a view of the surrounding scenery. 1t was
not such morning as we would have Sc.
lected for this purpose Heavy and angry