UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 39 



the beautiful regularity so remarkable in the 

 cave of Fingal ; which I will now endeavour to 

 describe. 



66 The opening into this celebrated cave finishes 

 above, in a sort of Gothic arch, which is 66 feet 

 above the surface of the water. The breadth, at 

 the entrance, is 42 feet ; the whole length of the 

 cave, 227 ; and the height within, from 40 to 50 

 feet. The sides, like the front, consist of groups 

 of columns ; and the cieling, at least towards 

 the middle, is composed of the sections, or 

 broken ends of columns, which give it a very 

 architectural appearance. The sea never ebbs 

 entirely out, and, therefore, forms the only floor 

 of the cave ; but the broken range of columns 

 which produces the exterior causeway, is con- 

 tinued on each side within, and admits of ac- 

 cess over the broken summits to the farther end, 

 if the water be not too high. 



" After all, it is so impossible to describe this 

 cave, that the very attempt is presumptuous. 

 The more it is studied, the greater is the admi- 

 ration of the beholder. The richness arising 

 from the multiplicity of the parts the great ex- 

 tent the twilight gloom the varying effects of 

 the reflected light the transparent green of the 

 water the echo of the surge rising and falling 

 and the profound solitude of the whole scene, 

 must make a strong impression on any mind at 



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