The National Republican And Ohio Political Register

CHAMBERSBURG, (PA.) March 23.

A NEW CAVE IN PETERS TOWN.

Among the many curiosities with which nature is so beautifully diversified, in almost every part of our country, as well in the bowels of the earth, as on its surface, there has none ever come under my observation so worthy of our admiration and wonder, as the one which I am about to attempt a description of, nor are there any of the works of convulsed nature, yet discovered, in this country, so singular and majestic in appearance as this Cave; and, although one of the many wonderful works of nature, it would appear as if art and nature, had there both made a general display of their talents respectively in the formation and furnishing of this beautiful cavern, for there are certainly many very nice imitations of art among the myriads of its airy concretions, which present themselves to the astonished person, that with wonder and delight stops short at the entrance of this subterranean grove, to feast his optics on these inimitable works of nature. I have said imitations of art, but I apprehend, there are many of those concretions that would even defy the finest artist to imitate.

This curious production of nature was never discovered till a few days ago, when the owner, (Mr. Reece, of Peters township, living on the basis of the north mountain,) was about to dig for water, and as there is a very large spring issuing out of the rocks at the foot of a hill of considerable height, and a kind of sink hole some distance above the spring, he thought he could probably come on the stream: accordingly he commenced digging in the sink hole, and had proceeded but a few feet, when he could plainly hear the water running, apparently with great rapidity; and at the distance of about twelve feet from the surface, came on to the water, at the lower extremity of a fissure in the rock which immediately expanded into a large and beautiful cavern, the entrance of which is partially obstructed by loose rocks, which, after advancing a little distance, entirely disappears, and instead of loose rubbish, appears solid rocks, enamelled with spar of different colours. In every direction are to be seen the most beautiful icicles suspended from its noble and in some places majestic ceiling. Concretions, without number, and of almost every colour, size, and dimension, are seen pointing downwards from the ceiling, and inwards from the sloping walls, some white, some red, some brown, some green, and others transparent as glass, and all solid as marble, threaten the curious adventurer with being torn in pieces by their craggy points, if he attempts penetrating any further into it, and indeed in some places he is obliged to proceed in a stooping position in order to avoid them.

In proceeding up this subterraneous passage, you are obliged to walk in the run nearly all the way, though in some places dry, at this time, owing to the season of the year, for it is evident from the bed of the run, and other visible marks of the water, that some parts of the year it must flow through the different channels, in large quantities; even at this time, there is a great deal running through it, but mostly through channels, along side of the principal one, and in some places very close too, which appears from the great noise it makes in falling over the craggy rocks, which impede its progress; there are in the principal channel, several, which might very properly be denominated cataracts. The extent of it, is, as yet, unknown, as it has been but partially explored. The greatest distance any person has been up it yet, is about 800 feet, at which distance there was no appearance of its termination. In ascending this cave, the eye is most agreeably struck with its grandeur; at every step new wonders present themselves; here the spar formed into trees, shrubs, &c. which make it have the appearance of a petrified grove; in some places they are formed into the likenesses of men, birds, beasts, organs, &c. and in one place raised on a pedestal, is a striking resemblance of a half unfurled flag. Besides those, there are hundreds of other likenesses, which I shall not here attempt a description of. When we first saw them we were only surprised at their diversity and beauty, but on a more minute examination, were struck with amazement, knowing them to be mere productions of nature; who, hitherto, in solitary silence had, in her playful moments, unseen and unheard, dressed the scene, as if for her own amusement.

M.