THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It is our purpose to describe, from our own 

 observations made in the spring of 1867, and 

 from the observations of others, that grand and 

 weird cavern known as the Mammoth Cave of 

 Kentucky, — a wonder of its kind, unequaled in 

 America or in the world, — within whose sub- 

 lime portals travelers have confessed the most 

 profound awe at entrance, and the greatest rap- 

 ture when its glorious mysteries were made visi- 

 ble to them. 



We did not make the visit with the view of 

 informing the public what was to be seen, but 

 simply for the purpose of gratifying our indi- 

 vidual curiosity. 



Finding the object to be one of greater magni- 

 tude than was anticipated, it occurred to us, as an 

 after-thought, that a short sketch might interest 

 a friend at home. In executing this intention, 



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