Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1907-10-19

the mines at Slanlc dates back 10 the
time OF the Romans, whose methods
were not so scientific as those Of their
modern successors. They made bot
te-shaped excavations quite close "a
one another, with the result: that the
wedge OF earth between bottles con-
stantly threatened 10 subside. In
deed, the other day an enormous
mass, Weighing I am afraid 70 say
how many tons, came down with s
crash, and the old mine had 10 be
abandoned.
Modern methods avoid any such
danger. Instead OF burrowing down
again into a new mine, you cut hori-
zontal galleries into the rock. huge
pillars OF salt are left standing 10
support the earth. and fresh csverns
are followed ont, Thus, without
any extra amount Of labor, it is posi-
BILE to extend the mine almost in
definitely. and the pillars serve 10
confirm the ecclesiastical effect OF the
great subterranean basilica.
I saw the old Roman mine from
one Of the upper galleries, which was
reached by strange, almost endless,
tunnels. illuminated with gay Chinese
lanterns. 4 little verdure alone was
needed 10 complete the illusion Of the
gardens Of Aladdin. The impress
SONS afforded by the view from this
gallery were so unique and so mar
velous that I hesitate to attempt "a
describe them. Some minutes were
necessary to grow accustomed TO the
twilight. A few braEisrs containing
shavings soaked in petroleum were
flaring up in a feverish manner, and
as I looked into the darkness Of the
abyss I was reminded Of Dore's YER
sion Of Dante looking over into tie
uttermcst depths OF he'll.
What struck ne most was the in
security Of my position. There was,
OF course, no danger whatever, and
the ledge on which ! stood was fairly
broad. But 1t possessed no parapet,
and in order 10 look down il was nee
essary % come very near TO the brink.
What added most to the sense Of in
security was a kind Of pier or com
mencement Of q bridge which pro-
jected over the abyss. I do not know
whether it dated back to the days OF
the 70 mans, but al any rate il was
almost prehistoric in aspect. I did
not neei the advice Of ny companions
10 discourage any attempt at walking
the plank along this road TO dsstruc-
ton, but have seen few places capa-
bic Of aTording more temptation 10
those with suicidal inclinations.
Suddenly q signal was given and
enormous bonfres were cast down
from the roof Of the mine. Several
long seconds elapsed before they fz-
zled out in the pond Of salt water
hundreds of feet below. The effect
was extraordinary. First the gray
walls were illuminated as the huge
molten mass blazed past them; then
they were overcast with heeting,
ghostly shadows, and at last plungeu
once more into q darkness which was
only emphasized by the Pickering
lights above.
Perhaps the prettiest object in this
old nina was a common tub which
had been placed some years ago upol
the ledge 10 receive the droppings Of
salt WAFER. I tasted this water and
found it so salt that it almost bit and
solidifed my tongue. AS the drops
fell the greater part Of them imme-
diately crystalized with incredible
rapidly. The original tub was no
longer to be seen. II had been COW
cred up entirely with glistening en-
crustations, which gave il th2 appear
ance Of q huge snow fountain adorned
with the most exquisitely artistic de-
signs. Il was now about six feet
high and several feet in thickness,
while a piece Of string which had
been suspended above It had now be-
come a rope Of molten pearls.
Returning along the tunnel We
passed a little trap door about two
feet square. This was pulled up
and I was privileged to look down
into the new mine Rnd-behold one
Of the most remarkable sights to be
found il the world. Hundreds Of
feet below, upon q rugged deld Of
dazzling whiteness, suggestive Of the
ice-paek in the Arctic regions, herds
of men, each apparently as large as q
cheese-mite, moved about feverishly
like the occupants Of an ant-heap.
Here and there points Of electric
light shone like suspended stars. The
general impression was that Of a nest
OF insects viewed through z Brob-
dingnagian magnifying glass.
A hushed tickling noise came up
from the depths like fairy music !
thought I should never tire Of watch
ing the graceful movements Of these
remote human insects. ! almost be
gan 10 fancy that they must belong
10 another planet, and such was the
extraordinary fascination exercised
by this marvellous sight that l found
il q painful wrench 10 tear myself
away. ! could have remained crouch
ing over this peep-h0le for hours, and
! felt quite annoyed with the director
Of the mine when he patiently re-
minded me that I still had very much
TO see before the departure Of ny
train.
50 We returned along the gallery
and entered one Of the powerful lifts
which are employed 10 bring up
trucks Of salt from the bottom Of the
mine. The director assured me with
q smile that l need not have any
alarm about the capacity Of the lift,
as il was constructed 10 carry over
twenty-five hundred weight. Indeed.
We crBwled down at a snail pace, and
had an opportunity Of studying the
strange natural frescoes on the walls
They were merely geological forma-
lions, Of course, but they assumed
the shapes here Of wild seA-serpsnts,
there Of beautiful decorative pat
terms, and every now and then OF i'm
possible heraldic animals. DRdos
on dados, I mentally summed them
up.