CHAPTER XIX. 



GOTHIC ARCADE. 



The Register Room. — Gothic Chapel. — Romantic Marriage. — 

 How the Stalactites and Stalagmites are formed. — Bona- 

 parte's Breastworks. — The Devil's Arm-chair. — Elephant's 

 Head. — Lover's Leap. — Gatewood's Dining-table. — Napoleon's 

 Dome. — Lake Purity. — Return to Daylight. 



The Gothic Arcade is entered by ascending 

 a flight of steps, as before mentioned ; and, 

 after passing the seat of the Mummy a short 

 distance, there is to be found a large stalactite, 

 which extends from the floor to the ceiling, 

 termed the Post Oak, from its fancied resem- 

 blance to a variety of oak-tree that grows in the 

 vicinity of the Cave. 



The First Echo is the name given to that 

 part of Gothic Arcade which passes over Pen- 

 sacola Avenue, the floor of which, when 

 forcibly struck, emits a hollow sound. This 

 hollow sound is observed even in walking, — 

 conveying the impression that some danger 

 of falling through might result from too heavy 

 a tread. 



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