Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-11-06
THE LURAY CAVE.
"Cress" Describes the Wonderful
Beauty of this Cave.

Beauty Oh TINS cave.
In recent letter to the Inter- Ocean
"Cress" says: Above us was an arched
roof. from which hung thousands Of
long delicate stalactites, tapering and
pointed as Cleopatra's needle and
glistening with moisture; along the
sides of the hall were stone ridges and
banks of singular form, and almost in
the center loomed up "Washington's
column" monster pillar thirty feet
in diameter, and heavily futed. Won
derful as it seemed before we had made
the grand tour, this chamber dwindled
into insignifcance by the time we made
our exit.
1t would be impossible to relate all
that is to be seen in this three-mile
walk amid wonders, in q letter; so
shall contine myself to a few of the
most striking and interesting objects
of this wilderness of the lower world,
which mimics all that is marvellous,
sublime, majestic, and what we call
commonplace on the surface of the
earth.
Here, for instance, is vegetable
garden, where cabbages, caulifower,
asparagus, potatoes, and even weeds
do grow. and further on is
THE CURIOUS FISH MARKET,
where from a series of escarpments de-
pend full rows of bass, perch, shad,
and mackerel, even the markings of
color being perfect, and the water
trickling from their sides completing
the illusion. ...- -..-...
Crossing Elfn's Ramble, with its
fairy tiligree work, there suddenly
yawncd ut our feet q dark and dismal
rift 500 feet long. 100 feet deep, called
''Pluto's Chasm.'' On the other side
bristles wall of sparkling stalactites,
and down into the darkest portion OF
the black gulf one can discern the
phantom. tall white figure covered
with snowy draperies. This ghostly
vision has in general so startling an
effect on the nerves of visitors that they
are warned in advance what to expect.
The Ballroom, which is 260 feet be-
low the surface. is great open space
which has been planked over and furn-
ished with seats, and has been illumin-
ated and used for country dances sew
eral times. A more beautiful spot for
youth and loveliness to enjoy itself can
hardly be imagined. The lofty ceiling,
with its bizarre holdings and natural
chandelier, the benches of carved drip
stone, ready for dowagers and wall
flowers, with its curious inches and
figures in bas-relief, combine in en-
chanting effect. One of the quaintest
conceit is the fair Cinderella in the act
of leaving the ball. Her dainty head
is bent forward, but the outline of her
curved neck, her shopping shoulders,
rounded arms, and slender waist is dis
tinctly visible, and you can almost
hear the frou-frou of her long, flowing
skirt and train covered with filmy lace
as she answers the midnight chimes.
Near by is Collins Grotto, with its
grotesque and perfect dragon. and
close to it the birds-nest, with its three
tiny eggs-real cave pearls.
There is lion good enough for Ira
falgar Square, a patient camel, and our
national bird in huge dimensions.
There are several beautiful little
lakes in the caverns, among them ''Tne
Virgin Font" really an alabaster
basin rising several feet from the floor,
and filled with sparkling water.
A DEEP FRINGE
of stalactites hangs in circular form
from the roof, almost touching the
basins rim, and seeming to protect it
The "Saracen's Tent is model of
Oriental taste. Superb yellow draper
les forty feet in length hang from a
round canopy in the most graceful and
natural folds; indeed, only a touch of
the hand will convince many tourists
that it is stone, not cloth, that is draped
so skillfully. The Grand Organ, with
its stalactite pipes, is full Of music,
which answers to the tap of a pencil in
sonorous chimes and sweet tinkling
tones.
One of the most imposing features of
the caverns are the splendid columns
that rise to immense heights, some of
them. like the Empress'Column, reach
ing almost to the ceiling, and radiantly
white and glittering; others, changing
in tint, from pale yellow hue to a
rich dark brown, and most of them
auted with marvellous precision. Then
there are alabaster starfs so thin that,
with the light behind them, they become
transparent, and their graceful en-
broideries can be traced.
"Wet blankets" with their proper
borders and bindings hanging in natur-
al folds to dry; frozen fountains or
masses of silvery white foam and spray,
and-but ! must stop! Yet the story is
but half told of the beautiful caverns
of Luray, with their mantle of white
and gold, pearl and amber, their weird
and splendid effects, their mystery and
solemity, which combined form
grander, more imposing spectacular
drama than the stage has ever dream
ed of.