The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-06-21
THE LURAY CAVE,
"Cress' Describes the Wonderful
Beauty OF this Cave.

In q recent letter to the Inter- Ocean
o "Cress" says: Above us was an arched
n roof, from which hung thousands of
0 long delicate stalactites, tapering and
pointed as Cleopatra's needle and
glistening with moisture; along the
D sides of the hall were stone ridges and
banks of singular form, and almost in
the center doomed up "Washington's
) column" monster pillar thirty feet
in diameter, and heavily fluted. Won
derful as it seemed before we had made
the grand tour, this chamber dwindled
into insignificance 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 letter; so |
shall contine myself to 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, cauliilower,
asparagus, potatoes, and even weeds
do grow, and further on is
THE CURIOUS FISH MARKET,
where from 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 Films Ramble, with its
fairy filigree work, there suddenly
yawned at our feet dark and dismal
rift 500 feet long, 100 feet deep, called
"Pluto's Chasm.n 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 26O 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 loneliness 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
3 of leaving the ball, Her dainty head
: is bent forward, but the outline of her
i curved neck. her shopping shoulders,
l. rounded arms, and slender waist is dis
g tinctly visible, and you can almost
X hear the frou-frou of her long, flowing
" skirt and train covered with tilmy lace
m as she answers the midnight chimes.
% Near by is Collins Grotto, with its
N grotesque and perfect dragon, and
N close to it the bird 's-nest, with its three
4 tiny eggs-real cave pearls.
% There is lion good enough for Ira.
l. falgar Square, patient camel, and oul
O. national bird in huge dimensions.
IS There are several beautiful little
a: lakes in the caverns, among them "Ih'
al Virgin Font" really an alabaste
basin rising several feet from the floor
10 and filled with sparkling water
l. DEEP FRINGE
d of stalactites hangs in circular form
y from tho roof, almost touching the
y basins risa, 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 n touch of
! the hand will convince many tourists
y 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
u sonorous chimes and sweet tinkline
tones.
u One of the most imposing features o
" the caverns are the splendid columns
u that rise to immense heights, some o
e. them, like the Empress Column, reach
- ing almost to the ceiling, and radiantly
a. white and glittering; others, changin!
n in tint from pale yellow hue to :
= rich dark brown, and most of then
a fluted with marvellous precision. Their
v there are alabaster scarfs so thin that
I with the light behind them, they become
q transparent, and their graceful en-
n broderies can be traced.
n wet blankets" with their proper
p borders and bindings hanging in natur
:. al folds to dry; frozen fountains OF
4 masses of silvery white foam and spray
: and--but must stop! Yet the story is
4. but half told of the beautiful caverns
:. of Luray, with their mantle of white
q and gold, pearl and AMBER their weird
}. and splendid effects, their mystery and
a solemity, which combined form 8
/. grander, more imposing spectacular
!. drama than the stage has ever dream.
j ed of.