CAVE. 91 



MRS. C. 



Then I would recommend you to visit them the next time 

 you go that road, for they are interesting from their historical 

 associations, as well as from their being natural curiosities. 



ESTHER. 



Pray, have the kindness to describe them to us. 



?V '-"" MRS. C. 



The entrance is upon the top of a hill which overlooks the 

 town, and on which formerly stood a strong castle. The 

 cave is about 200 feet long, and is excavated out of the sand. 

 It contains one branching vault near 'the centre, called the 

 Barons' Cave, which tradition has rendered famous by assert- 

 ing that it was there that the Barons held their secret meet- 

 ings, and drew up the terms which they afterwards compelled 

 John to accept at Runnymede. 



ESTHER. 



How large is the Barons' Cave? 



MRS. c. - 



About a hundred and fifty feet long, twelve wide, and from 

 ten to twelve high.* It is supposed to have been originally 

 excavated as a retreat, at the time of the invasion of the 

 Danes. There is also another cavern in the lower part of 

 the town, near an inn: but in this the sand is left in columns 

 to support it, and the high road runs over it. Here the peo- 

 ple amuse themselves in the winter, by playing nine-pins, &c.; 

 and the sand is dug out for the London markets, and consti- 

 tutes an object of some traffic. 



MRS. F. 



Thank you, Mrs. Clifford; we will certainly visit the Ba- 

 rons' Cave the first opportunity. 



MRS. c. 

 Now that we are on the subject of glass, can any of your 



* Conybeare and Phillips' Geology. 



