The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-19
BALLAD SOCIETY IS
MUCH ENCOURAGED
Now in Position to Carry on It's
Work on Larger Scale Than
Ever Before.
STRANGE FORMATIONS FOUND
Recent Explorations in Meyers
Cave Attracts Wide Attention
Among Scientists.
Especial to Tho Tlmes.pispatch.l

Especial to Tho Times-Dispatch.l
Charlottesville. Va. October 1S.-The
Virginia Ballad Society, under the d.
rection of Professor C. Alphonso
Smith. OF the University Of Virginia,
is now in position to carry on It's
work on a larger scale than at any
time since 1t was founded in Rich
mond year or ago This result has
been brought about by the fact that
the United States Department of Edu-
cation has become Interested In the
work and will lend it's cooperation
through it's well-organized and extern
sive system.
Professor Smith returned a few days
ago from Washington. where he con-
terred with Commissioner Claxton.
The latter agreed to help the society in
every way possible. Professor Smith
Is now preparing a list OF ballads.
whose variants there is good reason
20 believe may be found. with diligent
search. in tho South to-day. When he
has completed this list and state
mont to help Identify tho ballads whom
found. both will be printed in pamph-
let form. and tho United States De-
partmetn OF Education will send copies
this way 10000 schools will be brought
into the work.
Tho success of two University Of
Virginia students last year In finding
variants of two OF tho most famous
ballads OF all ages in Virginia has
brought great announcement to the
society. In year or two there seems
good reason to think that such va
riety and number of variants OF the
famous English and Scottish ballads
will be found In the South as will give
IL the place II deserves in this depart
ment of scholarship.
Explorations In Meyers Gave.
Recent exploration in Weyer's Cave.
situated in the Valley OF Virginia about
80 miles north OF stanton, has brought
TO light a variety OF formations that
are attracting wide attention among
scientists as we'll as tourists. The
American Museum of Natural History.
OF New York. sent representatives TO
the cave last week They carried
away from passages hitherto inacces
sible great quantity OF stalactites
and other formations. which Will be
put on exhibition in New York.
j. NJ. Pirkey. manager OF the cave.
has sent Il similar collection to DIR.
j. :. Grasty. OF the University OF Nir-
ginia who made a close study OF the
geology OF the cave last year. These
specimens Will be turned over TO the
Brooks Museum OF the university,
whose collection of specimens OF vari-
Gus kinds Of underground phenomena
is among the best in the country.
This particular collection comes from
"a remote part OF the cave which. until
Il short time ago, had not been cSplor-
ed The section already opened to the
public. from which the university has
also obtained specimens has disclosed
many remarkable formations. notably.
a natural bridge: the only one, IL is
said ever discovered in a cave. The
part OF the cave now being explored
seems TO be larger and richer In In
teresting objects than the old part
which is regarded AS one OF the most
beautiful cavcrns in this country.