34 A HISTORY OF 



of beautiful plains, and sloping woodlands, we at length came to a lit- 

 tle hill, on the side of which yawned a most horrid cavern, that with 

 its gloom at first struck us with terror, and almost repressed curiosity. 

 Recovering the first surprise, however, we entered boldly ; and hart 

 not proceeded above twenty paces, when the supposed statue of the 

 giant presented itself to our view. We quickly perceived, that what 

 the ignorant natives had been terrified at as a giant, was nothing more 

 than a sparry concretion, formed by the water dropping from the 

 roof of the cave, and by degrees haidening into a figure that their 

 fears had formed into a monster. Incited by this extraordinary ap- 

 pearance, we were induced to proceed still farther, in quest of new 

 adventures in this subterranean abode. As we proceeded, new won- 

 ders offered themselves ; the spars, formed into trees and shrubs, pre- 

 sented a kind of petrified grove ; some white, some green ; and all 

 receding in due perspective. They struck us with the more amaze- 

 ment, as we knew them to be mere productions of nature, who, 

 hitherto in solitude, had, in her playful moments, dressed the scene as 

 if for her own amusement. 



" But we had as yet seen but a few of the wonders of the place ; 

 and were introduced only into the portico of this amazing temple. In 

 one corner of this half-illuminated recess, there appeared an opening 

 of about three feet wide, which seemed to lead to a place totally dark, 

 and that, one of the natives assured us, contained nothing more than 

 a reservoir of water. Upon this we tried, by throwing down some 

 stones, which rumbled along the sides of the descent for some time, 

 the sound seemed at last quashed in a bed of water. In order, how- 

 ever, to be more certain, we sent in a Levantine mariner, who, by the 

 promise of a good reward, with a flambeau in his hand, ventured in- 

 to this narrow aperture. After continuing within it for about a quar- 

 ter of an hour, he returned, carrying some beautiful pieces of white 

 spar in his hand, which art could neither imitate nor equal. Upon 

 being informed by him that the place was full of these beautiful in- 

 crustations, I ventured in once more with him for about fifty paces, 

 anxiously and cautiously descending by a steep and dangerous way. 

 Finding, however, that we came to a precipice which led into a spa- 

 cious amphitheatre, if I may so call it, still deeper than any other part, 

 we returned, and being provided with a ladder, flambeaux, and other 

 things to expedite our descent, our whole company, man by man, ven- 

 tured into the same opening, and descending one after another, we at 

 last saw ourselves all together in the most magnificent part of the 

 cavern. 



" Our candles being now all lighted up, and the whole place com- 

 pletely illuminated, never could the eye be presented with a more 

 glittering, or a more magnificent scene. The roof all hung with solid 

 icicles, transparent as glass, yet solid as marble. The eye could scarce- 

 ly reach the lofty and noble ceiling : the sides were regularly formed 

 with spars ; and the whole presented the idea of a magnificent thea- 

 tre, illuminated with an immense profusion of lights. The floor con- 

 sisted of solid marble ; and in several places magnificent columns, 

 thrones, altars, and other objects, appeared, as if nature had design 

 d to mock the curiosities of art. Our voices, upon speaking oi 



