The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-10-07

at point IL feet above the ground. Some
of the trees are 376 feet high and "a feet
feet in diameter. Some of the largest that
have been felled indicate an age of from
1000 to $500 years.
The most extensive cavern is the Man,
moth Cave, in Edmondson county, Ky.
It is near Green River, six miles from Cave
City, and about twenty-eight miles from
Bowling Green The cave consists of
succession of irregular chambers, some OF
which are large, situated on different levels.
Some Of these are traversed by navigable
branches of the subterranean Echo River.
Blind fish are found in its waters.
The largest tunnel in the world is that
of ST. Gothard, on the line of railroad be-
tween Lucerne and Milan. The summit
of the tunnel is 900 feet below the surface
at Audermatt, and $500 feet beneath the
peak of Kastelhorn, of the st. Gothard
group. The tunnel is 263 feet wide, and
19 feet 10 inches from the floor to the
crown of the arched roof. 1t is 81 miles
long, Ii miles longer than the Mt. Gents
tunnel.
The highest monolith is the obelisk at
Karnak, Egypt. Karnak is on the east
bank of the Nile, near Luxor, and occupies
a part of the site of an ancient Thebes.
The obelisk is ascribed to Hatasu, sister of
Pharaoh Thothmes Ill, who reigned about
1900 B. c. Its whole length is 112 feet,
its weight 400 tons. Its height, without
pedestal, is 109 feet 10 inches The height
of the obelisk in Central Park without
pedestal, is 69 feet IL inches; its weight
about 169 tons.
The Chinese wall is the largest wall in
the world. 1t was built by the first En-
peror of the Tain dynasty, about 220 B. c.,
as protection against Tartars Ittraverses
the northern boundary of China, and is
carried over the highest hills, through the
deepest valleys, across rivers and every
other natural obstacle Itslength is l ,25O
miles. Including parapet of 5 feet, the
total height of the wall is 20 feet, thickness
at the base 25 feet, and at the top Is feet.
Towers or bastions occur at intervals OF
about 100 yards.
Among the most remarkable natural ech-
oes is that of Eagles Nest, on the banks OF
Killarney, in Ireland, which repeats bugle
call until it seems to be sounded from a
hundred instruments; and that on the banks
of the Naha, between Bingen and Coblentz
which repeats sound seventeen times
The most remarkable artificial echo known
is that in the Castle of Simonetta, about
two miles from Milan 1t is occasioned by
the existence of two parallel walls of con
siderable length. 1t repeats the report Of
pistol sixty times.
The largest bell in the world is the grea
bell of Moscow, at the foot of the Kremlin
Its circumference at the bottom is nearly
SO feet, and its height more than 21 feet
In its stoutest part it is % inches thick
and its weight has been computed to bt
443,772 pounds. 1t has never been hung
and was probably cast on the spot where
it now stands. A piece of the bell is broker
off, The fracture is supposed to have beer
occasioned by water having been throw
upon it when heated by the building erect
ed over it being on fire.
The largest library is the Bibliothequ
National in Paris, founded by Louis XIV
1t contains 100000 volumes, 300,OO(
pamphlets, 175,000 manuscripts, 100000
maps and charts, and 10000 coins ant
medals. The collection of engravings ex
ceeds 100000, contained in some 49, ,0O'
volumes. The building which contain
these treasures is situated on the Rue Richie
lieu. Its length is $40 feet, its breadtl
130 feet. The largest library in New Y ork
in respect of separate works, is the Astol
About 100, 900 volumes are on its shelves
The largest cathedral in the world is 81
Peters in Rome From the laying of ii
foundation in 1850 until its dedication, on
hundred and seventy years were consume
in its erection; and if we include the wor
done under Plus VI, three and half cer
turies passed before it was complete, durin
which time forty-three Popes reigned. Th
dimensions of the church are: length G
the interior, 6133 feet; of transom fror
wall to wall, 4464 feet; height of nave, 152
feet; of side aisles, Al feet; width Of nave
77-89 feet; of side aisles, 33& feet; circun
ference of pillars which support the dom'
253 feet. The height of the dome fror
the pavement to the base of the lantern
4O5 feet-to the top of the cross, 448 fee
The dome is encircled and strengthened b
six bands of iron. A stairway leads to tn
roof, broad and easy enough to allow hors
and team to ascend. The annual cost {
keeping the church in repair is 5000
scudi.