ything like an extremity, all beyond a
certain extent being wrapped in the most profound darkness; but
the flashes of light which at intervals streamed out, as the
glare of the torches fell upon pieces of spar as clear as
crystal, and the deep echo of our own voices as we spoke,
inspired us with a feeling of awe bordering upon superstition.
It is in such a situation as this, that the poverty of the
mightiest monument of human art becomes conspicuous. The most
magnificent churches and abbeys, with their sculptured pillars
and vaulted ceilings, were thought of as mean in comparison of
what was now before us; indeed, I for one could not help
imagining that these very churches and abbeys had been built in
humble imitation of this, which looked like a temple reared by
some beings more powerful than men. It seemed a shrine worthy of
the genii of old, while yet they were in the zenith of their
glory, ere they had been driven from their thrones and oracles of
darkness by the light of Christianity.

As we moved onward we found the sides of the cave gradually
narrow upon us, and the roof become lower and lower. There was,
however, a continuance of the same fane-like appearance to the
last, though growing more and more contracted; till, finally, we
were compelled to advance one by one, and to stoop in order to
prevent our heads from coming into contact with the rock. We had
proceeded as far as it was possible to proceed with any degree of
comfort, and were informed by the guide that we were upwards of
three hundred yards from the entrance, when we found it expedient
to wheel about, and to return to the open air. But the effect of
so sudden a change from darkness to light was exceedingly
disagreeable; insomuch that we hastened into the smaller cave, as
well for the purpose of deferring the moment of suffering as to
continue our search after the sublime.

The entrance to this cavern is extremely dangerous, and not to be
ventured upon without either a trusty guide or a thorough
knowledge of the ground. After descending a ladder, not quite so
deep as that which leads into the larger cave, we arrived at the
brink of a fearful chasm, across which a flat stone, about two
feet in width, was laid, connecting the edges by a bridge four or
five feet in length. To what depth the chasm may reach, the
guide could not inform us; but that it is considerable we
discovered by dropping a large stone, which we could hear for
some time as