MADDISON’s CAVE. 
225 
grandeur, from being* enabled at the same 
time to look down into the profound gulph 
over which it passes. 
About fifty miles to the northward of the 
Rock Bridge, and also behind the Blue Moun¬ 
tains, there is another very remarkable natural 
curiositythis is a large cavern, known in 
the neighbourhood by the name of Maddison's 
Cave. It is in the heart of a mountain, about 
two hundred feet high, and which is so steep 
on one side, that a person standing on the top 
of it, might easily throw a pebble into the 
river, which flows round the base ; the oppo¬ 
site side of it is, however, very easy of ascent* 
and on this side the path leading to the cavern 
runs, excepting for the last twenty yards, when 
it suddenly tarns along the steep part of the 
mountain, which is extremely rugg°d, and co¬ 
vered with immense rocks and trees from top to 
bottom The mouth of the cavern, on this 
steep side, about two thirds of the way up is 
guarded by a huge pendent stone, which seems 
ready to drop every instant, and it is hardly pos¬ 
sible to stoop under it, without reflecting with 
a certain degree of awe, that were it to drop, 
nothing could save you from perishing within 
the dreary walls of that mansion to which it af¬ 
fords an entrance. 
Preparatory to entering, the guide, whom 
VOL. I. Q , 
