THE tARTH. 53 



the roof of the cave, and by degrees hardening info a figure that 

 their fears had formed into a monster. Incited by this extraor- 

 dinary appearance, we were induced to proceed still farther, in 

 quest of new adventures in this subterranean abode. As we 

 proceeded, new wonders offered themselves : the spars, formed 

 into trees and shrubs, presented a kind of petrified grove ; some 

 white, some green ; and all receding in due perspective, Tliey 

 stnick us with the more amazement, as we knew them to be mere 

 productions of nature, who, hitherto in solitude, had, in hei 

 playful moments, dressed the scene, as if for her own amuse 

 ment. 



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

 place ; and were introduced only into the portico of this amaz- 

 ing temple. In one corner of this half-illumined 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 rumbling 

 along the sides of the descent for some time, the sound seemed 

 at last quashed in a bed of water. In order, however, to be 

 more certain, we sent in a Leventine mariner, who, by the pro- 

 mise of a good reward, with a flambeaux in his hand, ventured 

 into this narrow aperture. After continuing within it for about 

 a quarter 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 beautifid incrustations, I ventured in onee more with him 

 for about fifty paces, anxiously and cautiously descending by a 

 steep and dangerous way. Finding, however, that we came to h 

 precipice which 1 :d into a spacious amphitheatre, if I may so call 

 it, still deeper than any other part, we retiu-ned, and being pro- 

 vided with a ladder, flambeaux, and other things to expedite our 

 descent, our whole company, man by man, ventured into the same 

 opening, and descending one after another we at last saw ourselves 

 altogether in the most magnificent part of the cavern. 



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



completely illuminated, never could the eye be presented with a 



more glittering, or a more magnificent scene. Tlie roof all 



bung with solid icicles, transparent as glass, yet solid as marble. 



The eye could sciucely reach the loftv an<l noble ( eiling ; the 



h 3 



