Part IV 



A TRIP TO THE CAVES OF CASPAR 

 GRANDE 



" Through caverns measureless to man, 

 Down to a sunless sea." 



KuBLA Khan — Coleridge. 



Amongst the natural beauties of Trinidad, abounding as 

 it is in scenes of tropical loveliness, the caves of Gaspar 

 Grande, commonly called Gasparil, should surely hold a 

 prominent place. They are situated at Pointe Baleine, the 

 western extremity of Gasparil, immediately facing the First 

 Boca or Boca del Mono, on lands belonging to Mr. J. B. 

 Todd, which have been turmelled through by Dame Nature 

 in a most wonderful manner, and offer to the eye a marvel- 

 lous exposition of stalactite and stalagmite, basaltic pillar 

 and crystal column. With the exception of some families 

 who periodically visit the Bocas Islands for a holiday, on 

 sea-bathing and fresh air intent, these picturesque phenomena 

 are unknown to both Trinidad inhabitants and foreign 

 visitors. The few American and English tourists whom I 

 have met, after braving the descent, have expressed them- 

 selves as being both surprised and delighted, one lady going 

 so far as to say that she had seen nothing in Europe to com- 

 pare with them, not even at the far-famed Capri ; and much 

 wonderment has been expressed that a scene at once so 

 unique and beautiful should have been practically unknown 

 for so long a period. They can be reached very easily, as the 

 Gulf steamer from Port of Spain comes to St. Mary's, the 

 bay-house immediately below Pointe Baleine, four times 

 a week, and drops passengers for the neighbouring residences ; 

 so all the would-be explorer has to do is to hail a boat (there 

 are always two or three plying for hire at this station) and 



