If they were so white all over, it would be a
splendid show. There is a marble-quarry close in the rear, above the
cave, and in process of time the whole of the crags will be quarried into
tombstones, doorsteps, fronts of edifices, fireplaces, etc. That will be
a pity. On such portions of the walls as are within reach, visitors have
sculptured their initials, or names at full length; and the white letters
showing plainly on the gray surface, they have more obvious effect than
such inscriptions generally have. There was formerly, I believe, a
complete arch of marble, forming a natural bridge over the top of the
cave; but this is no longer so. At the bottom of the broad chamber of
the cave, standing in its shadow, the effect of the morning sunshine on
the dark or bright foliage of the pines and other trees that cluster on
the summits of the crags was particularly beautiful; and it was strange
how such great trees had rooted themselves in solid marble, for so it
seemed.
After passing through this romantic and most picturesque spot, the stream
goes onward to turn factories.
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