40 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 



much rough and fatiguing travel within the 

 Cave, over loose rocks, etc., which might be ren- 

 dered, at small expense, comparatively smooth. 

 Hand-cars might be introduced and easily made 

 available over more than half the Long Route, 

 stopping as frequently as the curiosity of the 

 visitor might require in making his observa- 

 tions. 



Green River, with its towering cliffs, is but a 

 few hundred yards from the hotel. 



Bayard Taylor, upon first beholding this beau- 

 tiful river, at the time of his visit to the Cave, 

 sixteen years ago, was struck by the appropri- 

 ateness of the lines of Bryant, which were 

 applied, strange to say, to another river of the 

 same name : 



"Yet, fair as thou art, thou shunnest to glide, 

 Beautiful stream ! by the village side, 

 But windest away from haunts of men, 

 To silent valley and shaded glen." 



It has been conclusively proven, by careful 

 observations, that the rivers of the Cave have a 

 subterraneous communication with Green River. 



The entrance of the Cave is about one-fourth 

 of a mile from the hotel, and is reached by pass- 

 ing down a wild, rocky ravine through a dense 

 forest, — a fitting avenue to the hidden world. 



