26 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 
wont to say, they were ‘grand, gloomy, and 
peculiar.’ | 
“Many attempted descriptions of the Cave 
have been published in the newspapers; and 
several pamphlet publications have been made ; 
but I know of none now existing. Many of 
the newspaper articles were utterly false. - 
“Stephen was a self-educated man; he had 
a fine genius, a great fund of wit and humor, 
some little knowledge of Latin and Greek, and 
much knowledge of geology; but his great 
talent was a perfect knowledge of man.* 
‘‘T have been compelled to write you this 
letter in great haste, but you may rely upon 
the facts as stated. 
“ Yours truly, 
 GORins 
* It has been said that Stephen was partly of Indian ex- 
traction. In reply to a subsequent letter addressed to Mr. 
Gorin, on this and other points, he remarks, ‘“ There was not 
any Indian blood in Stephen’s veins. I knew his reputed father, 
who was a white man. I owned Stephen’s mother and brother, 
but not until after both of the children were born. Stephen was 
certainly a very extraordinary boyand man. His talents were of 
the first order. He was trustworthy and reliable; he was com- 
panionable ; he was a hero, and could be a clown. He knew a 
gentleman or a lady as if by instinct. He learned whatever he 
wished, without trouble or labor; and it is said that a late pro- 
fessor of geology spoke highly of his knowledge in that depart- 
ment of science.” 
