The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-09-18
Qhtpeoplts Qol''"'"
LURAY CAVE, VIRGINIA.
AS Seen by Former Cecil Countian.

AS Seen by Former Ce-il Count;an.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Some weeks ago saw
in your paper notice that you had re-
ceived ticket to Luray Cave, and since
that time | have made visit there, and
can assure you that the sights you will
see will fully repay you for the trip.
Having friends visiting us from your
county, we joined Il party made up i'll
our vicinity, composed of sixteen Ladies'
and eighteen gentlemen, and went pre-
pared to camp out, as the time would
consume five or six days going and re-
turning. The first day We made nine
teen miles, and then turned in to our
first camp, and you may be sure it was
much enjoyed by those to whom it was Il
novelty to eat and sleep in the woods.
The second day We made twenty four
miles, passing through Chreighlervillc, a
very pretty village, which contains fine
mill, two churches. store house, and
six or seven cosy dwellings. Some of the
houses showed the refinement of the occu-
nts.-tiowers, trained vines, tasteful
fences being SO many witnesses.
We went through Milam's Gap, and,
looking through the gap, the landscape
was ruggedly grand, and much more de-
lightful for the eye than the feet to wall
der over. High up in the rocks Il small
stream of water iutted out, and, falling
on the shelving rocks below. made beau
tiful falls; then falling to another shelv-
ing. down, down hundred feet This is
the head of the Robertson river. and the
falls are appropriately named Dark lIol-
low Falls. A little further on we could
catch glimpses of Page Valley as it ran
off to the west i'll lessening land ripples.
1t presented a magnificent prospect, and
has been made historic by the grand
achievements of Stonewall jackson.
Tuesday evening we pitched our tent
at a school house within two miles of
Marksyille and ten of Iuray. On We'd
nesday morning we arose in buoyant spir-
its, broke fast, and started early, and in
a short time reached Luray, after passing
through Marksville, which is Il neat viii
lage containing the usual amount of
homes necessary to make up village,
together with mill and tannery
We reached the cave in due time. reg
istered ut the IRVINE House, procured
tickets of admission and a guide and
made the grand entrance. 1t was illu-
minated by countless tapers, whose light
revealed the marvellous beauty of this
subterranean corridor. Here we saw
what was termed Washington's Pillow, a
dingy makeup some thirty feet long and
twenty in height, and not at all rumpled
Our guide was glib with stereotypcd talk
and puns; but when we came to the fish
market he slipped up in putting the ques-
ton, What kind of fish are these ?-ssme
one guessing Crock and spelling his
joke. The flower garden presented ferns
of magical beauty, and when gazing on
these and the figures of 1.-The Lovers"
a lively imagination made one easily con-
ceive himself in a petritied Eden. The
natural bridge was a comely arch span
ming the entrance to the next chamber
and seemed better adapted to the uses of
Lilliputs than those of our well-grown
party. But few of us took delight in
peering into Pluto's Chasm, whose dark
abyss Of 10 feet and 800 feet in length
was partially relieved by lights which
served to render its dangers more fright
full. From its UNEMPLOYED floor arose. in
weird beauty, the specter column; as its
base seemed forest on impenetrable dark
ness, it was most appropriately named.
But why essay description of each
object of startling interest? An attempt
to catalogue them even would run this
letter out to a great length; suffice it to
say we did the Amphitheater. the Cattle
dral. Giants Hall, from whose high cell
ing hung stalactites of exquisite beau
ty: the Eltin Ramble, the Balcony, the
Springs, whose basins suggest casket or
coffin: the Bath Room, the Saracen's
Tent. so fashioned as never to be folded;
the Fallen Tower, Il fit monument ofgreat- |
ness; the Angels Wing, of tleecy white
ness and beautiful curvatures: Oberon's |
Grotto Titania Veil, the Frozen Cascade,
surprising in loneliness and likeness all
objects shown us; the Ball Room alone
making a striking feature of its magnifi- |
cent dimensions: the Grave Yard, filled |
with mounds and tablets; Cinderella, in
full party dress; the Organ, sonorous in
deed, but little out of tune. In word,
wherever We groped, marvellous beauty
was ON every hand, and deepened the
that description was impossi- |
BILE, and that the wonders of Luray Cave |
must be seen to be appreciated.
| think We spent three hours in the
cave: then We started on our return home
by different route, and the next place
of interest we reached was Mary's Rock,
said to be the highest point of the Blue
Ridge, called SO from a legend connected
with it. 4 beautiful white girl, in flee
ing from the Indians. made its summit,
and when her purSuerS approached, rather
than be taken captive, threw herself from
the perilous height and lay Il quivering,
shapeleSS mass ut the base of the Rock |
which bears her name.
We passed through Sperryville. Wood
vile. and one or two other towns and
reached home. having enjoyed every mile
of the journey-100 miles-and every hour
of the time. Truly yours.
r. III. E.