DESCRIPTION OK A MITRE CAVE. 237 



of Gothic rudeness and irregularity which are truly sublime. 

 When these vast chambers arc sufficiently illuminated by the 

 torches and lamps of the workmen, they present scenes so un- 

 common and so romantic, that the most stupid beholder can- 

 not contemplate them without expressions ot the greatest asto- 

 nishment. During the winter season the effect ot these scenes 

 is greatly increased by a stream of water which issuing trom a 

 small opening in the arch of the cave, about twenty feet above 

 the floor and falling into a bason, occasions a noise which in 

 these calm regions can be heard at great distance, and echoing 

 from arch to arch, fills the mind with the idea of some migh- 

 ty cataract*. 



The temperature of this -cave, during the last winter (the 

 coldest we have had tor several years) was generally 52° of F. 

 sometimes the mercury rose as high as 57" but never sunk to 

 the freezing point, when the thermometer was placed at any 

 considerable distance within the cave. In one chamber how- 

 ever, the heat was frequently so great as to be disagreeable. 

 About sixty paces from the south entrance, a passage leading 

 from the main avenue conducts you to this chamber, which 

 is nearly circular and about twenty feet in diameter. The arch 

 over this part of the main avenue and that over the passage 

 leading to the warm chamber, are equally elevated. But the 

 ceiling of the chamber is twenty or thirty feet higher. As you 

 approach the chamber, the floor gradually rises until it ascends 

 above the level ot the arch of tiie passage. As soon as you 

 ascend above that level, you perceive tiie air uncommonly 

 warm, even when the temperature of the passage is near the 

 freezing point. The air which fills the main avenue in sum- 

 mer and autumn is forced into this chamber, whenever the ex- 

 ternal atmospheric air becomes so much condensed by cold as 



v * This cave was discovered about seven years ago by a Mr. Balcer. He entered it by the north 

 mouth, but proceeded only a smalt distance into it, on the succeeding day he htotight his wife and 

 two or three of their children to explore it, he tarried a torch and his wife a suppjy of pine. After 

 they had advanced within bearing of this torrent 400 or 500 yards from the north mouth, the only 

 one then known, he dropped his torch and it was completely extinguished. During two days and two 

 nights this miserable family wandertd in total darkness, without provisions and without water, 

 though sometimes within hearing of a cataract which they durst not appioach, at length Mri> Baker 

 in attempting to support herself on a rock, perceived that it vsas wet, she conjectured that this was 

 caused by the mud which they had brought in on their feet, Baker immediately ascended the rock 3 

 and saw tli|t li^ht of day. 



