THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 145 
for my part, I would rather dispense with the 
poetry of the thing, and eat a good dinner, 
whether above or below ground, from off a bona- 
fide table, and seated on a good substantial 
chair. The proprietor ought to have, at all the 
dining-places, tables, chairs, and the necessary 
table-furniture, that visitors might partake of 
their collations with some degree of comfort.” * 
We regard this as a very proper suggestion. 
The proprietor of the hotel might, with very 
trifling cost, keep permanently, at the two or 
three principal places of dining, substantial tables 
and chairs for the accommodation of visitors. 
Cans of oil are kept in this room (Washington 
Hall), from which the lamps are replenished. 
Although the lamps are capable of holding oil 
sufficient to burn ten hours, the depots for it are 
so arranged that they can be filled every five 
hours; and, as a greater security against total 
darkness, the guide carries a bottle of oil in his 
satchel. 
Marion’s Avenue, which rises in Washington 
Hall, leads to Paradise, Zoe’s Grotto, and Por- 
tia’s Parterre. These avenues will be again 
referred to. 
* Rambles of a Visitor, p. 53. 
