you. Now look through this opening, which is large enough for a man comfortably to pass through, holding your candle above your head; you will see a deep unexplored abyss,

"Where the footstep of mortal has never trod."

this room, we must diverge a little, and visit one or two rooms that branch off from the main path. Directly to your right, as you emerge from the wilderness, there rises an immense mass, apparently of solid stalagmite, thirty-six feet in length, No man has ever yet ventured into this place, for thirty feet in breadth, and thirty feet in height; it can only be entered by means of a rope-ladder, this mass is beautiful beyond description, very but if my life is spared, and my courage does not much resembling successive stories, and is called fail me, I shall, at no distant period, attempt to the Tower of Babel! The most splendid portion explore the hidden mysteries of the apartment. of the tower is on the back, but it is difficult of Once more in the dining room let us go on to access, for it is necessary to climb up the surface the completion of our task. The main path pur- of the rock to the height of fifteen or twenty feet; sues the same course from this room as it has the view, however, amply repays you for the ladone ever since you entered Washington's hall; bor. For a few moments you can scarcely conbut your way now lies up a sort of hill, in the vince yourself that an immense body of water is side of which is the opening through which you not pouring over the precipice in a foaming catare to pass. If you are adventurous, you will fol- aract, so white, so dazzling is the effulgence of low me above the opening, up the nearly perpen- the rock; and when this impression is effaced, dicular face of the rock, to the height of fifty feet, the words of the pious bard rush into the mind, where a ledge of rocks stretches along, and forms where he describes the awful effects that will folthe left side of the dining room. From this emi-low the consummation of all things ;

nence, called the Giant's Causeway, you can look down into the dining room on one side, and Jackson's room on the other. Great caution is necessary in climbing this height, lest too much confi

"The cataract, that like a giant wroth,
Rushed down impetuously, as seized at once
By sudden frost, with all his hoary locks,
Stood still!"

dence be reposed in the projecting stalagmites, One might almost imagine that Pollok had visitthat seemingly offer a secure foothold to the in-ed this wonder, and caught the idea so forcibly cautious adventurer, but frequently give way be- expressed above, from viewing this magnificent neath him. It must be remembered that they are scene. formed by droppings from the roof, and are often We have already so much exceeded our inbased only in the mud. By cautiously descend- tended limits, that we can only look into the large ing the ledge for five or six feet, on the side op-apartment that occupies the space behind the posite to that which we ascended, we shall be tower, which is called Sir Walter Scott's Room, enabled to reach with ease the room which has and then hasten back to the main path. already been attained by the rest of the company who have been less ambitious than ourselves, and passed through the little opening already pointed out in ascending the causeway.

Jefferson's room, that we left some time since, is very irregular in shape, and is two hundred and thirty-five feet long, following the various windings. What is commonly called the end of the cave, is distinguished by two singular, thin, lamellar rocks, five or six feet in diameter, united at their bases, but spreading out so that the outer edges are several feet apart; this is called the Fly Trap. To the left of the Fly trap is a large recess, where is a fine spring, at which the weary visiter is glad to slake his thirst, after the fatigues of his arduous undertaking.

This room, or perhaps it should be called passage, is denominated the Wilderness, from the roughness of the pathway, and is only ten feet wide, but it rises to the immense height of ninety or one hundred feet! As we come along the causeway, and look down upon our right, we shall see our company forty or fifty feet below us, while our eyes can scarcely penetrate through the darkness to the ceiling above their heads. Very many visiters have their curiosity satisfied Upon the very verge of the rock upon which we long before they have gone over the ground that are standing, are several beautiful white stalag-we have, but I am writing only for those who, like mites, grouped together, among which one stands me, are not satisfied, until everything is seen that pre-eminent. This is Bonaparte with his body- is worthy of notice. Such would not excuse me, guard, crossing the Alps. The effect is peculiary fine, when viewed from below.

did I not mention one more curiosity, few take the trouble to visit. A few yards beyond the flyWithout descending from our dangerous eleva- trap, there is an opening in the solid wall at the ion, we will go on our way a little farther. Pro- height of about twelve feet, through which you ceeding only a few paces from the emperor, you are admitted by a temporary ladder. By hard ind yourself upon an arch, under which your climbing you soon penetrate to the end of the ompany are passing, which is very appropriately recess, where you will find the Source of the alled the Natural Bridge; but it should be cross- Nile! This is a beautiful limpid spring, covered d, if at all, with great caution, for there is dan- with a thin pellicle of stalagmite, yet sufficiently er of being precipitated to the bottom. Retra- strong to bear your weight; in this crust there ing our steps nearly to Napoleon, we will descend is a perforation that gives you access to the wan the left, and by a jump of six feet, rejoin our ter beneath. ompany at the end of the Wilderness.

You are now upon the lowest level of the cave, nd at the entrance of the farthest room. This is efferson's Hall; an extensive, but not very eleited apartment, quite level. Before I describe

As far as it is practicable, I have described very cursorily this wonderful cavern; but I feel convinced that no pen can adequately describe a curiosity so extensive, so magnificent, and so varied in its beauties.

From the Louisville Literary News-Letter.

REDFIELD'S CAVE.

to my great disappointment, after going about wo hundred yards, I found the shelf too narrow to allow me to proceed any farther; and sat down to rest BEING fond of adventure and of nature's wonders, I from my labours before returning, calling to my started off about a month since, in company with companion to make one more effort to ford the my friend Mr. B, to explore this cave, and if possi- water. While listening to the deep-toned vibrations ble to make some new discoveries. It is situated which every rocky cliff sent back in answer to my on the farm of Mr. Redfield, in Indiana, near the voice, I heard a sudden plunge into the stream, a Vincennes road, about twenty miles from New Al-rapid splashing of the water, and then all was silent. bany. We arrived there in the morning, and enter- Conjecturing that the worst had befallen my friend, ed the cave at one o'clock. A stream issues from I called to him, but no answer was returned, except the mouth, in an ordinary season, sufficiently power- the echo of my own voice as it vibrated from side to ful to turn a flour and saw mill, belonging to Mr. side of the cave. Tremulous with fear, I again Redfield; but as it was exceedingly low at this time, called, when, to my great joy, Mr. B. cried out to lower, as we were told, than it has been known to me to return and light him out of his difficulties, as be for ten or fifteen years before, we enjoyed a bet- he had extinguished his candle. I hastened back ter opportunity for exploring the cave than any who and found him standing waist deep in the stream. had been in for some time past. The mouth is thir- It seems, that in attempting to wade along the side ty-five feet wide and fifteen high; and in a very of the cave, his foot slipped and he was thrown into wet season, is almost entirely filled up by the waters the stream beyond his depth, extinguishing his light of the stream which rush out with tremendous force. and leaving him to find his way out as he best could. After walking dry shod for two hundred yards, we Fortunately he took a right direction, and being an came to where the stream covered the entire width expert swimmer reached shallow water, having ex of the cave, leaving us no alternative but to wade. perienced no other inconvenience than a thorough Indeed it was cold amusement, with the atmosphere ducking. Finding our stock of candles would bareat fifty and the water about ten degrees colder; and ly last until we could gain the mouth, we made the when we reached the end of this piece of water, we best of our way out; and reached Mr. Redfield's at had a much better idea of what we had before us eight in the evening, having been in the cave seven than when we entered. After climbing over im- hours, and penetrated full three miles. Wet, cold mense piles of rock which appeared to have fallen and hungry as we were, the warm, hospitable recep from the ceiling, we reached a point where the cave tion that was extended to us by our host and his was sixty feet wide, with a beautiful arched ceiling good lady was most fully appreciated. Upon talk of thirty feet, supported by immense masses of ing over our adventures with Mr. R. we found that stone, which had a wild and imposing appearance we had explored the cave some distance beyond any as seen by our lights. Here the vibrations of the one else; but yet had made no new discoveries of voice were almost endless; every cliff seemed to any importance. The next morning we entered the have a tongue that echoed back with startling dis- cave about one hundred yards and struck into a tinctness even the slightest sounds. The vibrations branch which we did not have time to explore the were much clearer and longer when a song was day previous. It was a circular apartment, about pitched upon a low key, than when the voice was fifty feet in diameter and one hundred high, with raised high. The report of a pistol was truly deafen- immense stalactites hanging from the ceiling and ing. Reverberating from rock to rock, the sound sides, forming a scene at once grand and imposing. would penetrate far into the cave beyond us, and at And here we ended our exploring tour, with which, last die away in a low murmur, at times lasting so long however, we were not entirely satisfied, as we were as almost to make one think that some spirit of the confident, that with the assistance of a boat, the cave dead had been aroused by the noise, (perhaps mis- could be explored a long distance beyond the point taken it for the last trump') and had taken up the we reached. Returning home, we determined if pos mournful sound. From this point we proceeded sible to carry this project into execution at some probably a mile and a half, the cave being about future day. Accordingly, about a week since, in forty feet wide and thirty high during the whole of company with a companion as rife for adventure as this distance; and arrived at a place where two any one west of the mountains, I started off a second branches enter the main cave, the one filled with time for the cave. We arrived in the morning and water and the other perfectly dry, and continuing entered at eleven, taking with us the materials for only a short distance. The former of these we at- constructing a raft with which to navigate the stream tempted to explore, but after wading up to our arm- After three hours of hard exertion, having been pits, hoping every step to find the stream more shal- much impeded in our progress by the materials for low, we were compelled to turn back, shaking and our raft, we reached the deep water. Having here shivering as if the ague were doing its worst upon constructed a craft which we supposed would enable us. We had proceeded in the main cave but a quar- us to penetrate the unknown regions of the cave, ter of a mile, when we again struck the stream, our disappointment can better be imagined than de which we followed until the water became too deep scribed, when upon trial we found that our raf for us to ford it. Here the cave was about fifteen would not float even one of us. Putting the best feet wide and twenty high; the stream running face upon the matter that we could, we crept on the through a passage in the rock about ten feet wide shelf that runs along the side of the cave above the with perpendicular sides, leaving a narrow shelf on water, and reached the point beyond which in the one side about ten feet above the water. Leaving my former expedition, I had judged it impossible to profriend standing in the water, I crept along on this ceed. Knowing that two heads are generally better shelf, hoping to discover the end of the stream; but than one, we set to work to devise some way of get

..

looking out for us with a good deal of anxiety, as it was then eight hours since we entered the cave, and he feared that some accident had befallen us. Upon conversing with Mr. Redfield on the great depth of water in the stream that we navigated, we came to the conclusion that it was formed by large springs rising from the bottom---as the small rivulets running into it never could produce such a large collection of water. We estimated the distance from the mouth to the head of the cave to be full four miles.

ng beyond this difficult pass; and after much diffi- turned to our boat. Embarking, we floated down culty and no little risk succeeded in crawling about the stream to where we had launched our bateau, thirty feet further. From this point we could see and there intended to leave her and return to the the termination of the water, not more than forty mouth. But on looking ahead and observing that 11 feet beyond us. Here we sat for nearly an hour the stream continued on, we determined to explore forming numberless plans for reaching the shore be- it---it appearing to be a branch of the main cave. yond; but at last came to the conclusion that it was Paddling along into it, its dimensions became much best to return and construct a small light boat which larger, varying from fifteen to twenty feet in width, we could bring in the next day, and thus navigate and from twenty to twenty-five high. The sides were the stream. Making the best of our way to the formed of beautiful white limestone, and supported mouth, we reached Mr. Redfield's at six in the even- a magnificent arch of the same. The stream was ing, and told him our adventures and our want of a about twenty-five feet deep, and its clear blue waters boat; upon which he said he could in a short time had a beautiful appearance as contrasted with the construct a boat that would carry us both. The next white limestone. After sailing along in this magnimorning we set to work, and in a few hours made a ficent passage about a quarter of a mile, we came bateau eight feet long and three wide and two deep, out into the main cave at the same point, where Mr. which, upon trial, we found floated us with ease. B. and myself had on a previous excursion attemptAt three in the afternoon, we again entered the cave, ed to enter, but found the stream too deep. Here determined to follow it up to the end. During four then we made another discovery of no little imporhours we laboured as hard as ever two mortals did, tance to those who may penetrate the cave after us; now floating our craft along on the stream, and now as they can sail up the stream nearly a mile, and hauling her over immense piles of rock, some at avoid a long distance of rough walking. This was least thirty feet high. At last, with a yell of triumph the last of our discoveries; and more than this we that made the depths of the cave ring again, we could not make, as we had followed up every nook launched her into the stream that was to conduct us and crevice. We left the cave perfectly satisfied on to the object of our search. Tying our life-pre- that no further discoveries could be made, and reachservers round us to guard against an upset, we step-ed Mr. Redfield's at 11 o'clock. We found him ped into our little craft and paddled up the stream about a quarter of a mile, when we reached the shore upon which we had looked with such wistful eyes the day previous. It was with a feeling of awe that I stepped from our little bark upon the earth where human foot had never before trod; and I felt a fear, of I know not what, creep over me as I looked into the deep recesses of the cave beyond. The stream up which we paddled was from eight to ten feet wide, and from twenty to thirty feet deep, with very little current. Its waters were of a light blue colour, and very transparent. After leaving the boat, and proceeding about three quarters of a mile, our candles got so low that we were obliged to turn back and replenish our stock. Our route after leaving the boat appeared perfectly plain, and accordingly we omitted making any marks as a guide to us on our return. Our perplexity then is better imagined than described, when about half way back, we got bewildered, lost the trace of our foosteps and knew not which way to turn. To the right a small branch led off, but no tracks could be found.Directly before us the cave continued on, but no IN 1754, Benjamin Franklin was postmaster footsteps could be seen. In this situation we re- general, with permission to make 6000 pounds conmained for about half an hour, when we discovered tinental money, out of the whole post office departa small hole in the bottom of the cave which led ment in America. The very next year he gave the down to a passage beneath; this we crept thro', and astounding notice that the mail which had before to our inexpressible joy discovered our tracks.-run once a fortnight to New England would start Reaching the boat, we supplied ourselves with can- once a week the year round, whereby answers dles, and proceeded again to explore the cave. After might be obtained to letters between Philadelphia going about a mile, in which we saw little of interest, and Boston in three weeks, which had before rethe cave being about ten feet high and fifteen wide, quired six weeks. In 1774, it was announced in all we reached the end. With a yell that would have the papers of the colony, that John Perkins engaraised the dead, (had there been any there,) we pro-ges to ride post, to carry the mail once a week beclaimed our triumph, and took possession of the newly tween Philadelphia and Baltimore; and will take discovered region, confident that none could dispute along or back led horses, or any parcel.' When a our title to it as the first discoverers. The head of post rider proposed starting, notice was given of his the cave we found to be about fifteen feet wide and intention by advertisement, also by the town crier, four high. Two small streams run into it from be- for several days in advance. In 1793 the number neath the rock. Here we ate a biscuit or two, drank of post offices had increased through the country to of the clear water of the little streams, and then re-seventy-five.

Taking leave of our kind host and his family the next morning, we reached home after a delightful ride, well satisfied that the wonders of nature under ground might vie in grandeur with many of those on the surface. E. G.

POST MASTER FRANKLIN.

At the end of this inclined passage is a second perpendicular descent of fifteen feet, and from this to the bottom of the cavern, is another descent of To the right of the Rotunda were at first several thirty feet and of about the same inclination as the rooms, but they last winter, were united by the clay third passage. Here the opening is about ten feet being dug away which separated them. In this clay wide, but the perpendicular walls reach about one have been found vast numbers of beautiful white hundred feet in height. On the north is an aper- stalagmites and stalactites, and vast slabs of alabas ture sufficiently high to admit a person lying flat ter, in and on which were found stalagmites weigh upon the rocky bottom. Here is seen a lake, as ing four or six hundred pounds each. Some of the smooth as a mirror, and clear as crystal, on whose most curious specimens that have been found here, bosom lies a boat just large enough to contain a are in Peale's museum in New York, the most sinsingle person. Whoever has the boldness to navi-gular of which is a stalagmite exactly resembling gate this gloomy region, unaided and alone, places the human mammary or suckling organ. lights on the bow and stern of the boat, falls upon As you are acquainted with the manner in which his knees, inclines his head to protect it from the these specimens are formed, you may be surprised

to learn that they have been found from two to three feet below the surface of the clay, I will therefore explain how they came in so singular a situation. After a quantity of stalactites and stalagmites were formed, by some means the cavern became filled with water, in which was a vast quantity of clay in particles. The stalactites that had fallen off by their own weight, and those that were broken off by the rush of the water, together with the specimens formed on the floor, were buried by the clay as it fell down from the water. The cavern at length became drained by the water finding a passage, probably where we now see it, and formations again commenced. It is certain that there was a long period before the cave was filled with water, because the specimens required many hundred years to attain their size, and they could not have been formed whilst the water was in it, and it is equally plain that hundreds of years have passed away since the draining of the cavern, for stalagmites on the clay were found as large as those in it.

AMERICAN CAVERNS.

THE Great cave of Indiana, is one the most interesting objects to which the traveller in these regions can make a visit. It is distant from the pleasant little town of Corydon, the seat of justice of Harrison county, and former capital of the state, about eleven miles. It was a fine June morning when I started from this village with the intention of visiting it. The road passes through the barrens, presenting the usual views of woody islands, wide openings covered with flowers, deep sinks, thick rows of bushes and tangled vines shading the path, and a few clearings, with the burnt trees rising like tall black Seven miles from the masts, from seas of verdure. town, near Wilson's Mill, the scenery is finely picturesque at the point where the road approaches Blue On the right is a precipitous ledge crowned river. with trees, and garlanded with creeping tendrils, and flowering shrubs: at the left are the clear blue waters of the stream, visible for a mile, enclosing several small islands. Opposite are seen the magnificent sycamores of the river bottom, their boughs interlaced by gigantick grape-vines; and beyond, a steep bluff terminates the view. In front, is a small plain, and the mill, its bridge, a plantation, and a variety of objects, complete the picture. Here I was cordially invited by Mr. Wilson, to alight and visit a neighbouring cave, which he described as equally interesting with one of which I was in search. We emOwing to the difficulties in the descent, but few ployed the time which remained till dinner, in visitladies have had the boldness to examine the cavern. ing a remarkable spring, from which the stream proThe first one who ventured was a lady about seven-ceeds that turns his mill. It is of a circular form, ty years of age, but she only succeeded in reaching the bottom. The first one who entered its deep cesses and explored the whole southern wing, was Miss of New Brunswick, N. J.

To the south of the Rotunda a long narrow passage extends four hundred and fifty feet, but it contains nothing of interest. The whole distance that has been explored is three thousand feet, or about three fifths of a mile, but as there is a vast body of clay in the southwestern part of the cavern, no idea can be formed of its real extent. Its depth from the surface to the bottom of the water is one hundred and eighty feet.

THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

ATLANTICK city! brightly art thou beaming,
Throwing thy kindling ray o'er land and sea,
Enlightening myriads with thy far-spread gleaming,
Home of the free.

Giant of wealth! thine arm of mighty power
Sweeps to thy coffers gold from distant shores :
While on each asking hand thy Danae shower,
Its treasures pours.

Religion's nurse! on spire and towers still flying,
The Christian standard floats unfurled, and free;
Never, our bold forefathers' claim denying,
Mind's liberty!

Favourite of nature! on thy green shore dwelling,
Bright spring-flowers bloom-the wild birds carol gay,
And the green ocean laves thy broad pier, smiling
In noisy play.

Haven of ships! thy storm-tried masts are standing,
With their tall foreheads to the meeting clouds,
A floating world-the billowy world commanding,
With their tough shrouds.

Siren of pleasure! in thy halls bright glancing,
Youth gayly springs, and prunes her buoyant wing:
Do purity and truth, the mirth enhancing,
Their chorus bring?

Oh, mighty city! to thy trust is given
A moral influence-a Christian sway!
Souls throng thy busy streets to people heaven→→→
Let them not stay.

Atlantick cities! rouse ye all from sleeping
Sin's deadly sleep, lest drops of grief be wrung,
From Him who o'er Judea sadly weeping,
Her death-note sung.

about one hundred and fifty feet in diameter, and of re-immense depth. The spectator who rests on its still bosom appears to be suspended between two firmaments, such is its clearness: and the fish with which it abounds, are seen at the distance of many feet, as if sporting in air. Having dined and fortified ourselves with some excellent apple-brandy, (excuse us, readers of the temperance society! agues are sometimes caught by such excursions in hot weather,) we rode to the spot. The entrance is by an aperture like a well, about eight feet deep, which forms a semicircle around the mouth. Immediately within, the height is ten or twelve, and the breadth fifty feet.

Southern Rose.

This is the average size through its whole extent, which is probably half a mile. The bottom and roof are of solid rock, dry, and free from earth. Stalactites make their appearance at the very outset, and white concretions of lime, of marble hardness, rise at short intervals; one, to which the name of the tower of Babel has been given, is of a cylindrical shape, and has the appearance of many small pillars, winding spirally around it. Through the whole distance it is necessary to stoop but once, and then only for a short space. At the farther end, the ceiling becomes higher, and the width extends to perhaps one hundred feet. Language is inadequate to describe the dazzling splendour of this part when brilliantly illuminated. Thousands of sparry stalactites depend from above, some red, some yellow, some orange, some white, most of them transparent, many resembling branches, and others glistening as if varnished with diamonds. The pavement is formed of hard-knobbed concretions of a lemon colour, and a pearly lustre, covered with shining fragments of spar, and every cavity lined with crystals, and gleaming