AMERICAN CAVERN S. WEYER'S CAVE. THE frontispiece of the present number represents a portion of the interior of one of the most remarkable caverns in the world. The subjoined description is from the pen of R. L. COOKE, A. M. of the Staunton Seminary, Virginia, who, in company with his brother and another gentleman, made an accurate survey of the whole cave in 1833. Weyer's Cave is situated near the northern extremity of Augusta county, Va., seventeen miles northeast of Staunton, on the eastern side of a ridge running nearly north and south parallel to the Blue Ridge, and somewhat more than a mile distant from it. chamber of this stupendous cavern, where he found his traps safely deposited. The entrance originally was small and difficult of access; but the enterprise of the proprietor has obviated these inconveniences: it is now enclosed by a wooden wall, having a door in its centre, which admits you to the ante-chamber. At first it is about ten feet in height, but after proceeding a few yards in a southwest direction, it becomes contracted to the space of four feet square. At the distance of twenty-four feet from the entrance, descending at an angle of nineteen degrees, you reach the Dragon's Room, so called from a stalactitic concretion, which the nomen clature undoubtedly supposed to resemble that nondescript animal. The western declivity of this ridge is very gradual, and the visiter, as he approaches from that direction, little imagines from its appearance that it embowels one of nature's masterpieces. The eastern declivity, however, is quite precipit-ular descent of thirteen feet, by means of subous and difficult of ascent. The Guide's house is situated on the northern extremity of this ridge, and is distant eight hundred yards from the entrance of the cave. In going from the house to the cave you pass the entrance of Madison's cave, which is only two hundred and twenty yards from the other. Madison's cave was known and visited as a curiosity long before the discovery of Weyer's, but it is now passed by and neglected, as unworthy of notice, compared with its more imposing rival, although it has had the pen of a Jefferson to describe its beauties. Let me remark here, that the incurious visiter, who goes because others go, and is but slightly interested in the mysteries of nature; may retain his usual dress when he enters the cave which I am attempting to describe; but if he is desirous of prying into every recess, climbing every accessible precipice, and seeing all the beauties of this subterranean wonder, I would advise him to provide himself with such habiliments as will withstand craggy projections, or receive no detriment from a generous coating of mud. The ascent from the bottom of the hill to the mouth of the cave is steep, but is rendered less fatiguing by the zigzag course of the path, which is one hundred and twenty yards in length. Before entering the cave, let us rest ourselves on the benches before the door, that we may become perfectly cool, while the guide unlocks the door, strikes a light, and tells the story of its first discovery. It seems that about the year 1804, one Bernard Weyer ranged these hills as a hunter; while pursuing his daily vocation, he found his match in a lawless ground hog, which not only eluded all his efforts, but eventually succeeded in carrying off the traps which had been set for his capture. Enraged at the loss of his traps, he made an assault upon the domicil of the depredator with spade and mattock. A few moments labor brought him to the ante Above the Dragon's room there is an opening of considerable beauty, but of small size, called the Devil's Gallery. Leaving this room, which is not very interesting, you proceed in a more southerly direction to the entrance of Solomon's Temple, through a high but narrow passage, sixty-six feet in length, which is by no means difficult of access. Here you make a perpendicstantial stairs, securely fixed, and you find your self in one of the finest rooms in the whole cave. It is irregular in shape, being thirty feet long, and forty-five broad, running nearly at right an-, gles to the main course of the cave. As you raise your eyes, after descending the steps be forementioned, they rest upon an elevated seat, surrounded by sparry incrustations, which sparkle beautifully in the light of your candles. This is not unaptly styled Solomon's Throne. Everything in this room receives its name from the Wise Man immediately to the left of the steps, as you descend, you will find his Meathouse; and at the eastern extremity of the room, is a beautiful pillar of white stalactite, somewhat defaced by the smoke of candles, called by his name, yet with strange inconsistency, an incrustation resembling falling water, at the right of the steps, has obtained the name of the Falls of Niagara. Passing Solomon's Pillar, you enter another room, more irregular than the first, but still more beautiful; it would be impossible adequately to describe the magnificence of the roof. I shall, therefore, merely observe, that it is thickly stud ded with beautiful stalactites resembling in form and color, the roots of radishes, which have given the appellation of Radish room to this delightful place. I cannot refrain here from reprobating the Van dal spirit of some visiters, who, regardless of al prohibitions, will persist in breaking off and de facing these splendid specimens of nature's work manship, forgetting that a single blow may destroy the work of centuries. The main passage to the rest of the cavern is immediately opposite to the entrance to Solomon's Temple, and you reach it by an ascent of twelve feet, to what is called the Porter's Lodge. From this place, pursuing the same course, you pass along a passage varying from ten to thirty feet in height, from ten to fifteen in breadth, and fifty in length, until you reach Barney's Hall, which receives its name from the fancied resem- | basedrum, whence the room has received the blance of a prostrate stalactite at the base of one name of the Drum Room. Upon a closer examithat is upright, to old Commodore Barney, and nation, this apparent wall will be found to be only the cannon that he used at the Bladensburgh a thin stalactitic partition, extending from the races. Near the centre of the room, which is ceiling to the floor. There is nothing else of small, and scarcely deserves the name, an upright much interest in this apartment-we will proceed board points out to the visiter the main path of to the more magnificent portions of the cavern. the cave, which runs to the right. Two passages You leave the drum room by a flight of natural run off to the left; the first one to a large irregu- stairs, seven feet in perpendicular height. A large lar room, called the Lawyer's Office, in which is opening now presents itself, which expands to a fine spring of water, or rather a reservoir where an extensive apartment, to reach which it is nethe droppings from the ceiling have collected; cessary to make a nearly perpendicular descent of the other, through a passage to what is called ten feet, by means of a substantial pair of stairs. The Armory, from an incrustation that has re- This apartment is the far-famed Ball Room. It is ceived the name of Ajax's Shield. one hundred feet long, thirty-six wide, and about twenty-five high, running at right angles to the path by which you entered it. The general course of the room is from north to south, but at the northern extremity there is a gradual ascent, bearing round to the east, until you reach a precipice of twenty or thirty feet, from which you can look down into the Tan-yard, having performed a complete circuit. Between the Lawyer's Office and the Armory, and communicating with both, is another large, irregular apartment, which is named Weyer's Hall, after the original discoverer of the cave, who, together with his dog, stands immortalized in one corner. Before we get bewildered and lost in this part of the cave, which is more intricate than any other, let us return to the guide-board in the centre of Barney's hall, and pursue the route usually taken by visiters. Following the righthand opening, mentioned above, which is rather low, being not more than five feet in height, you pass into the Twin Room, taking heed lest you fall into the Devil's Rake Oven, which yawns close by your feet. This room is small, and communicates directly with the Bannister Room, which is fifty-nine feet distant from the guide-board. The arch here suddenly expands, and becomes elevated to the height of thirty feet, and by dint of hard climbing you may return to the Porter's Lodge, through a passage directly over the one which you have just passed. Although there are many beautics in this upper passage, I would advise no one who is not an enthusiastic admirer of nature's works, to attempt it. Near the centre of the ball room, is a large calcareous deposite, that has received the name of Paganini's Statue, from the circumstance that it furnishes a good position for the music, whenever balls are given in these submundane regions. The floor is sufficiently level to admit of dancing upon it, and it is not uncommon to have balls here. The ladies are accommodated with a very convenient Dressing Room, the only opening to which communicates directly with the ball room. You leave this room by a gradual ascent of fortytwo feet, at the southern extremity, similar to the one already described at the other. This acclivity is called The Frenchman's Hill, from the following circumstance: some years since, a French gentleman visited this cave, accompanied only by the guide; they had safely gone through, and returning, had reached the top A descent of thirty-nine feet from the Twin of this hill, when by some accident, both of their room, in a direction due west; brings you into the lights were extinguished, and they were left in Tan Yard, which contains many beauties. The Egyptian darkness, without the means of relighting floor is irregular, in some places sinking into their candles. Fortunately, the guide, from his holes somewhat resembling tan-vats, which to-accurate knowledge of localities, was enabled to gether with several hanging stalactites resembling hides have given a name to this immense apartment. On the southeast side of the room, immediately to the left of the main path, is a large opening, which admits you at once into the ar-same feat, although it was a complete failure. mory already mentioned. It may be well to remark here, that I have omitted, and shall omit to mention, many beautiful appearances in the different rooms, because they are noted upon the map of the cave, lately published by the author of this sketch. conduct him safely to the entrance, a distance of more than five hundred feet. Another gentleman, by the name of Patterson, has immortalized his name by attempting the Hearing of the Frenchman's adventure, he undertook to find his way back to the entrance from the ball room, without a light; sending his company some distance ahead. He succeeded in ascending the stairs, but had proceeded only a few paces farther, when his feet slipped from under him, and he was prostrated into an aperture where he lay unhurt, until his companions, alarmed at his protracted absence, returned for him. His resting-place is called Patterson's Grave to this day. Changing your course to the northwest, you leave the Tan-yard, by a rough but not difficult ascent of twenty feet, at an angle of eighteen degrees, into what may be considered as an elevated continuation of the same room, but which has From the French Hill, a long, irregular passage been deservedly dignified with a distinct appella- extends in a northwest direction, which is detion. To your right, as you step upon level nominated the Narrow Passage. This passage is ground, you will observe a perpendicular wall of fifty-two feet in length, varying from three to five rock, rising with great regularity; if you strike feet in width, and from four to eight feet in upon it with your hand, it sends forth a deep, height. It leads you to the brink of a precipice, mellow sound, strongly resembling the tones of a twelve feet in height. Natural indentations in the face of this preci- [floor was not level, but inclined at an angle of pice afford a convenient means of descent; and fifteen or twenty degrees, and when we emerged these natural steps have received the name of from the pit into which we had first entered, our Jacob's Ladder. To correspond with this name, candles again shone brightly, and displayed to as in Solomon's Temple, everything is named af- our view a room more extensive than any I have ter the patriarch: a flat rock opposite to the ex-yet described. Its greatest length was from east tremity of the Narrow passage, is Jacob's Tea- to west, and seemed to run nearly parallel to the Table; and a deep, inaccessible perforation in the path over which we have just travelled. From its rock, by its side, is Jacob's Ice-house. Descend-great length, I was induced to believe that it aping the ladder, you turn to the left, and pass through a narrow opening, still continuing to descend though less perpendicularly, to the centre of a small apartment, called the Dungeon. The descent from the top of the ladder to this place is twenty-eight feet. proached very near to the Ball room, and perhaps might communicate with it by some yet undiscovered passage. So strongly was I impressed with this idea, that I determined to ascertain, if practicable, how far I was correct. For this purpose, I set my watch exactly with_my brothThis room communicates by a passage of about er's, and requested him to go to the Ball room, four feet square, with the Senate Chamber. A and to pursue, as far as possible, a low passage thin flat rock stretches over nearly half of this that leads to the right from the foot of the French apartment, which is only about forty feet in di- Hill, while I went to the eastern extremity of this ameter, at the height of eight or ten feet from immense apartment. At an appointed moment, 1 the floor, forming a sort of gallery, which doubt-fired a pistol, but the only answer was, the deafless caused the name already mentioned to be given to the room. The Senate chamber communicates by a high broad opening, with a still larger apartment, denominated Congress Hall. This name must have been given on account of its proximity to the last-mentioned room, and not from anything particularly appropriate in the room itself. It is long, and like the ball room, runs nearly at right angles to the main path; its course being nearly north and south, and a wall, having several openings, runs through its whole length. The main path winds to the left as you enter the room; but we will diverge a little to the right, and explore the dark recess that presents itself to view. The floor of Congress hall is very uneven, and at the northern extremity rises somewhat abruptly. Climbing this ascent, if you pass through one of the openings in the wall mentioned above, you will be able to see through the whole extent of the other half of the room, but it is impossible to traverse it, on account of two or three deep pits, that occupy the whole space between the wall and the side of the room. Turning around to the right of the opening through which you passed, your eye vainly attempts to penetrate the deep, dark abyss that presents itself, and you hesitate to descend. Its name, the Infernal Regions, does not offer many inducements to enter it; and for many years it has been supposed to contain fixed air, so that visiters avoid it, and it has never until recently, been thoroughly explored. In the spring of 1833, accompanied by my brother, I determined at all hazards to explore this room, for I doubted the existence of any bad air, as I had never detected any in the course of extensive researches in almost every part of the cave. The guide accompanied us, and we each carried two candles, leaving a lighted one also at the end of Congress hall. Thus prepared, we descended about twenty-nine feet before we reached a landing-place. Here our candles burned dimly, and great care was necessary to prevent them from going out entirely; indeed four of them were out at one time, yet we experienced no difficulty of breathing, or any other indication of the presence of this much dreaded gas. The ening reverberations of the sound, rolling like thunder along the lofty arches. I shouted-but no return met my ear, save the hollow echo of my own voice, and I began to think that I had been hasty in my opinion. At this moment, a beautiful stalactite sparkled in the light of my candle, and I forgot my desire to find some un known passage in my anxiety to secure this prize Taking the butt of my pistol I hammered gently upon it to disengage it from the rock where it hung, I was surprised to hear the taps distinctly answered, apparently from the centre of the solid rock. A repetition of the blows brought a repetition of the answer, and by comparing notes, we were fully satisfied that there could be but little space between the two rooms. We have lingered so long in these Infernal regions that we must hasten back to the spot whence we diverged, in the centre of Congress hall. Our course now lies to the southwest, up a perpendicular ascent of seventeen feet, to what is called the Lobby. From this place, an expert climber, well acquainted with the cave, may pass through secret passages and by-rooms to the end of the cave, without once entering the main path; but we will pursue the accustomed route. You have ascended to the Lobby, only to de scend again on the other side, after taking a few steps horizontally, a perpendicular descent of seventeen feet brings you to the most magnificent apartment in the whole cavern. This is Wash ington's Hall; so called in token of respect fo. the memory of our country's father, and it is worthy of bearing the name. Its length is two hundred and fifty-seven feet, its breadth from ter to twenty feet, and its height about thirty-three feet, being remarkably level and straight through the whole length. Not far from the centre of this room, is an immense deposite of calcareous matter rising to the height of six or seven feet, which very strikingly resembles a statue clothed in drapery. This is Washington's Statue, and few can look upon it, as seen by the dim light of two or three candles, which rather stimulate than repress curiosity, without experiencing a sensation of awe and solemnity, as if they were actually in the presence This of the mighty dead. A few yards from the en- At the farthest extremity, a beautiful white trance, another room branches off to the left, to spire shoots up to a considerable height, which is reach which, you must ascend a bank of five or appropriately styled the Steeple, and has, no six feet in height. This is called the Theatre, doubt, suggested the name of the room. Nearly from the fact that different parts of the room cor- opposite to the centre of the church is a recess, respond to the gallery, stage, and pit. I notice raised several feet, of considerable extent. this room, which is rather uninteresting otherwise, forms a very good Gallery to the church. Imfor the purpose of mentioning a circumstance re-mediately in the rear of the gallery, and in full lated to me by Mr. Bryan, a former guide, which view from below, is a great number of pendant confirms an opinion that I have long entertained, stalactites, of several feet in length, and of vari that the whole cavern is thoroughly ventilated by ous sizes, ranged like the pipes of an organ, and some undiscovered communication with the up-bearing a striking resemblance to them. If these per air. stalactites are struck by any hard substance, they send forth sounds of various pitches, according to their size, and a stick run rapidly along several of them at once, produces a very pleasing variety of sounds. With great propriety this is called the Organ. About nine years since, during a severe and protracted rain, which raised the waters of the South river that flows at the base of the cave-hill, to an unprecedented height, Mr. Bryan conduct ed a company through the cave. As he ascended the stairs that lead from Congress hall to the Passing under the steeple, which rests on an Lobby, he heard the rush of waters; supposing arch elevated not more than ten feet, you enter that the cave was flooding, he directed the visit- the Dining Room. This room is named from a ers to remain in Congress hall, while he examined long, natural table, that stands on the left side, more carefully into the cause of the unusual and and is not quite as large as the church, though its alarming noise. Cautiously descending into height is sixty feet. Was it not for the kind of Washington's Hall, he followed the sound, until wall which the steeple makes, it might be considhe arrived opposite to the entrance of the Thea- ered as a continuation of the church, and its tre, in which he saw a column of water, pouring length is therefore included in that of the church. down from the ceiling into the Pit, and losing it- A little to the left of the table you will observe a self in the numerous crevices that abound. When small, uninviting opening; if you are not deterthe rain ceased, the flood was stayed, and it never red by the unpromising appearance of the opening has been repeated; but even at the present time, we will enter, and see whether it leads to anysmall pebbles and gravel, resembling that found thing worthy of notice. Proceeding only a few on the top of the hill, may be seen in the theatre. paces, you suddenly find yourself in an immense No aperture is visible where the water could have chamber, stretching from the gallery of the church come through so copiously, neither can any per- with which it communicates, parallel to the dining foration be discovered on the surface of the hill; room, to its utmost extremity, and proportionably yet beyond a doubt some communication does wide. This is called Jackson's Room, and the exist. I have said that the breadth of Washing-floor is very irregular and uneven. This room is ton's hall was from ten to twenty feet; this must be rather uninteresting, but it leads to one that deunderstood only of the lower part of the room, serves a passing notice. for the arch stretches over a rock twenty feet Directly opposite the little passage which conhigh, which forms the left wall, and embraces an- ducted you hither, is a large opening; passing this other room called Lady Washington's Hall. The the rocks contract until only a narrow pass is left entrance to this apartment is opposite to the a few feet in length. This conducts you, if not Statue, and is on the same level with the Hall. to the most magnificent, at least to the most beau The wall that separates the two rooms is several tiful and interesting portion of the whole cavern. feet thick, and has received the name of the There is but one apartment, and that is small, Rock of Gibraltar. One or two candles placed but the Garden of Eden,-for so it is called, deupon this rock produce a fine effect, particularly rives its beauty from the singular arrangement of if every other light is extinguished; for it shows the immense stalactites hanging from the roof, you the arch, spreading out with beautiful regu- and meeting the stalagmites, which have ascendlarity, until it is lost in the surrounding darkness, ed from the floor to meet them; or in few words, and imagination supplies the deficiency of vision, it seems as if, at some former period, a sheet of peopling the dark recesses with hosts of matter-water had poured down from the roof, and by less phantoms. You reluctantly leave this splendid apartment at the southwest extremity, by a rough, narrow, but high passage, running at the foot of the Pyramids of Egypt and Cleopatra's Needle! At the end of this passage, in a recess at the right is another spring or reservoir, not as large as the one in the Lawyer's office. A descent of eight or ten feet, brings you into the Diamond Room, which may be considered as forming a part of The Church, a long, irregular room, more lofty than any that we have yet entered. Its length is one hundred and fifty-two feet, its breadth from ten to fifteen, and its height fifty! some wonderful operation of nature, had become suddenly petrified. This sheet is not continuous, but strongly resembles the folds of heavy drapery, and you may pass among the windings as through the mazes of a labyrinth, and the light of a candle shines distinctly through any part of it. A portion of the floor of this room is composed of a beautiful fine yellow sand, whereas most of the cave is a stiff clay, with very few indications of sand. We must now retrace our steps to the dining room, for there is no other place of egress; but let us first turn off to the left, as we return, into small passage, that does not seem to lead very far. Be careful! there is a deep hole just before |