1894.] ESSAYS. 73 



The emigrant ships from Europe to Australia, iu former times, were 

 obliged to cross it and passengers, in feeble health, suffered from the 

 depressing influeuees, and oftentimes found a watery grave in this 

 burying-ground of the ocean. Right glad were we to leave this place 

 and enter the southeast trade-winds, where our drooping spirits revive 

 and tlie oppressive sensations disappear. We are leaving the sun to 

 the north of us. When we commenced our journey the sun slione 

 into the forward cabin door ; when half way it shone into the after 

 cabin door. Long ago we had lost sight of the North Star, and the 

 brilliant Southern Cross now beckons us ou our watery way. 



While at Matanzas we hired a volante and drove to the Cave of 

 Bellamar. Tt is one of the most beautiful caves in the woi'ld, the 

 discovery of which is most interesting. A negro, while at work ou 

 his master's plantation digging limestone, felt his crowbar slip through 

 his hands and disappear from sight. In alarm he went to his master 

 and told him what had happened. They dug around the crevice and 

 soon peered into a deep, dark hole. Obtaining a rope and lantern the 

 owner was let down into the bowels of the earth, and found himself in 

 an immense temple, 1,500 feet in length, 200 feet wide, aud 100 feet 

 high, glittering on all sides and overhead with magnificent crystals, 

 formed by the combination of water and lime. Mr. Santos Parga 

 arose to the surface satisfied that the most valuable part of his prop- 

 erty was beneath his feet. The cave had been explored for the dis- 

 tance of three miles when we visited it. The guide with a lighted 

 torch, after burning a scorpion which he noticed crawling upon the 

 doorway, led the way down the steps wdiich had been erected to the 

 bottom of the cave. We were speechless with wonder wheu we found 

 ourselves in such a vast hall amid so much beauty. The stalactites 

 and stalagmites meeting, forming immense columns. Articles iuuu- 

 merable were represented, which glistened like diamonds as the guide 

 waved the torch, including an organ, embroidered garment, and a con- 

 fessional. There were millions of fantastic shapes, so we thought it 

 no harm to take a souvenir. In breaking a small piece the cave rang 

 w'ith the reverberations. The guide remonstrated with us, but as we 

 could not understand Spauish his jabbering was wasted. He had us 

 in his power, however, for had he extinguished the torch we would 

 have been in total darkness. A lady in our party wrapped lu!r hand- 

 kerchief around the specimen she appropriated aud broke it off with- 

 out making any sound. Why we w^ere not allowed to take any 

 was because they wished to sell most exquisite specimens iu small 



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