THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 115 



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- 

 tide 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. 



