58 THE YOEKSSIRB CAVES. 



Eeturning by the side of the Doe, where it runs a more 

 tranquil course, some of the disciples of the gentle Izaak Walton 

 longed for rod and line and leisure to try the seductive powers of 

 a fly upon its finny tribes. But, alas, it might not be — at least 

 on the present occasion — and soon we are again in the carriages 

 and continue our drive, with a wild open moorland on one side 

 and grand terraced slopes of limestone rocks on the other, the 

 whole valley flooded with the glow and glory of an autumn sun. 



Yordas Cave is named after a traditional giant, whose chamber 

 and oven are x^ointed out. The cave consists of two chambers ; 

 the first ninety yards long by upwards of twenty feet high ; the 

 second, circular, and rising fifty feet to its pointed roof. By the 

 side of the second apartment is a fine cascade, a view of which 

 is obtained by climbing upon a narrow and somewhat dangerous 

 ledge of slippery rock. In wet weather the cave is flooded, and 

 traces of these occasional deluges are very evident. Yordas Cave 

 abounds in stalactites and stalagmites of the most curious forms, 

 and, as usual, these singular productions of nature are named 

 after the objects they are supposed to resemble. By the aid of 

 a number of candles, fixed upon the end of a long jointed pole, 

 a good view was obtained of the glittering and dripping roof of 

 the fifty feet hall. 



This cave hunting in mixed company occasionally affords, by 

 the way, curious glimpses of insight into individual character. 

 One of our members seemed to be constantly impressed with the 

 idea, as we groped along in the dark, each with dim light in 

 hand, that we greatly resembled a band of stage villains in search 

 of their unhappy victims. Another was greatly concerned at 

 the waste of water power at the falls and cascades ; while a third 

 never got beyond an interesting calculation as to which of the 

 two inns at Ingieton would set the best dinner on the table, with 

 minute speculation on the various dishes. It reminded one of 

 the American illustration of Carlyle's pithy saying, ''"We only 

 see what we bring eyes to see." Pour men visited the Magara 

 Falls. One was a preacher of the more lurid type of theology ; 

 the second was a millowner ; the third was a poet ; and the 

 fourth was a geologist. "What was your impression of it?" 



