70 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 



respectable physical development. This place 

 of attraction has been accorded the^ euphonious 

 name of " Fat Man's Misery." 



Fat Man's Misery is a narrow, tortuous 

 avenue, fifty yards in length, which has been 

 cut out of the solid rock by the mechanical 

 action of the water. The lower part of the 

 avenue varies in width from eighteen inches 

 to three feet ; and the upper part, — that is, from 

 the height of a man's chest to the head, — from 

 four to ten feet. In height it varies from four 

 to eight feet, — the greater part of the distance 

 averaging but four feet, — thus requiring the 

 passenger to assume a stooping position, which 

 is exceedingly painful to the back. 



Contrary to the general impression, says Dr. 

 Wright, there never was a man too large to pass 

 through Fat Man's Misery. This is an error. 

 We have known more than one individual, 

 weighing over four hundred pounds, who could 

 not possibly have effected the passage. Bayard 

 Taylor says that the weight of the largest man 

 who ever accomplished this narrow way was 

 two hundred and sixty pounds, and he thinks 

 that it would be impossible for a man of greater 

 weight to see the sights beyond. 



A hall of novel appearance, very appropri- 



