These struck us with the more amazement, as we knew them to be mere productions of nature, who had in her playful moments, dressed the solitary scene, as if for her own

4. But we had as yet seen a few only of the wonders of the place; being introduced only into the portico of this amazing temple. In one corner of this half-illuminated recess, there appeared an opening of about three feet wide, which seemed to lead to a place totally dark, and one of the natives assured us it contained nothing more than a reservoir of water. Upon this we made an experiment, by throwing down some stones, which rumbling down the sides of the descent for some time, the sound seemed at last quashed in a bed of water. In order, however, to be more certain, we sent in a Levantine mariner, who, by the promise of a good reward, with a flambeau in his hand, ventured into this narrow aperture.

5. In about fifteen minutes he returned bringing some beautiful pieces of white spar, which art could neither imitate nor equal. Upon being informed by him that the place was full of these beautiful incrustations, ventured to ac company the mariner into the opening, about fifty paces, anxiously and cautiously descending by a steep and dange

rous way.

6. Finding, however, that we came to a precipice which led into a spacious amphitheatre, if I may so call it, still deeper than any other part, we returned, and being furnished with a ladder, flamboes, and other things to expedite our descent, our whole company, man by man, ventured into the same opening, and descending one after another, we at last saw ourselves all together in the most magnificent part of the cavern.

7. Our candles being now all lighted, and the whole place completely illuminated, never could the eye be presented with a more splendid scene. The roof was all hung with glittering icicles, transparant as glass, yet solid as marble. The eye could scarce reach the lofty and noble ceiling ;the sides were regularly formed with spars; and the whole represented a magnificent theatre, illuminated with an immense profusion of lights.

8. The floor consisted of solid marble; and in several places magnificent columns, thrones, altars and other objects appeared, as if nature had intended to mock the cus

riosities of art. Our voices, upon speaking or singing were redonbled to a thundering loudness; and upon the fi ring of a gun, the noise and reverberations were almost deafening.

9. In the midst of this grand and picturesque scenery rose a concretion of about fifteen feet high, which, in some measure, resembled an altar, from which taking the hint, we caused mass to be celebrated. The beautiful columns that shot up round the altar, appeared like candlesticks ;and many other natural objects represented the customary ornaments of this sacrament.

10. Below this spacious grotto, there seemed another cavern, down which I ventured with my guide, and descended by means of a rope, about fifty paces. Here I found a small spot of level earth, consisting of soft clay, yielding to pressure, and in which I thrust a stick to about the depth of six feet. In this, however, as in the apartment above, were formed numbers of the most elegant chrystals, one of which resembled a table.

11. Upon our leaving this cavern, we discovered an inscription in Greek upon a rock ture mouth, but so iar ou

literated by time as not to be legible. It seemed to import that one Antipater, in the time of Alexander, had visited this place; but whether he had penetrated into the depth of the cavern, we could not collect from the inscription.

I.

T

EXTRAORDINARY BELLS IN RUSSIA.

HE Russians have a great fondness for bells of an enormous size, and distinguish the sanctity of different days, by the different peals or manner of ringing them. These bells are hung in belfreys, detached from the churches; and do not swing like other bells, but are fixed immoveably to beams, and rung by a rope tied to the clapper, and pulled sideways.

2. One of these bells, in the tower of St. John's church, weighs one hundred and twenty-seven thousand pounds, or more than sixty-three tons. It is deemed a meritorious act of religion to present a church with a bell, and the piety of the donor is estimated by the size of the present.

3. The Emperor Boris gave to the Cathedral of Moscow, a bell weighing two hundred and eighty-eight thousand pounds, or an hundred and forty-four tons. The Empress Ann, determining not to be surpassed in this kind of

piety, procured a bell to be cast, which weighed four hun ured and thirty-two thousand pounds, or two hundred and sixicen tons.

4. This bell was nineteen feet long, and its circumference at the large end twenty-one yards and eleven inches. Is greatest thickness was twenty-three inches. The beam supporting this enormous bell being burnt by accident, it fell, and a fragment was broke out, which left an aperture sufficiently large to admit two men abreast, without stooping.

THE VILLA OF PRINCE ZARTORISKI, IN POLAND, FROM COXE'S TRAVELS.

HE Villa of prince Zartoriski is about three miles

uation is almost a level, with here and there a gentle slope, which affords an agreeable variety. A river runs through the grounds, which are laid out in the English manner, with a beautiful intermixture of lawn and wood. Walks are cut through the wood, and carried along the side of the

water.

2. The house, which stands upon a gentle rise, has the appearance of a cottage, constructed like those of the peasants, with trunks of trees piled upon each other, and thatched with straw. Beside the principal building, occupied by the prince and princess, there are separate cottages for the children and attendants, cach of which has its inclosures and small garden. The whole group appears like a village of

scattered huts.

S. Other buildings, such as summer houses, pavilions, and rustic sheds, are dispersed over the grounds, and the stables are constructed in the form of a half demolished amphitheatre. Several romantic bridges, rudely composed of the trunks and bent branches of trees, contribute to diversify the rustic scenery.

4. Upon our arrival, we repaired to the principal cottage, where the princess was ready to receive us. We expect ed to find the inside furnished in the simple style of a peasant's hovel; but were surprised to see every species of elegant magnificence, which riches and taste could collect.

5. All the apartments are decorated in the most costly manner; but the splendor of the bath room was peculiarly

striking. The sides are covered from top to bottom, with sinall square pieces of the finest Dresden China, each ornamented with an elegant sprig, and the border and ceiling are painted with beautiful festoons.

6. After we had surveyed all the apartments, we procee ded to an inclosure near the house, surrounded with large blocks of granit heaped one upon another, and fallen trees placed in the most natural and picturesque shapes. From thence we repaired to the several cottages occupied by the children, each of which is fitted up in a different style, but all with equal elegance-the whole exhibiting a striking contrast of simplicity and magnificence.

7. We next walked round the gardens, which are handsomely laid out. We then repaired to a Turkish tent of rich and curious workmanship, pitched in a beautiful retired field near the stables. This tent belonged to the Grand Vizier, and was taken in the late war between the Russians and Turks. Under it was a settee and a carpet spread upon the ground.

8. Here we staid conversing until the dusk of the eve ning, when the princess led us through the house to a small spot of rising ground, where we were suddenly struck with a most splendid illumination. A rustic bridge, consisting of a single arch over a broad piece of water, was studded with several thousand lamps of different colors.

9. The reflection of this illuminated bridge upon the wa ter, was so strong as to deceive the eye, and gave to the whole the appearance of a brilliant circle suspended in the air. The effect was splendid beyond description, and greatly heightened by the gloom of the forest in the back ground. While we were admiring this delightful scene, a band of music struck up at a little distance, and amused us with an excellent concert.

10. We were led from this enchanting spot across the illuminated bridge to a thatched pavilion, open at the sides and supported by pillars, ornamented with garlands and twisted festoons of flowers. We found within a cold colla tion, and sat down to a table covered with all sorts of delicacies, with the most costly wines and every species of fruit which nature and art could furnish.

11. The evening was pleasant, the scenery delightful, the fare delicious, and the company in fine spirits; for who could be otherwise, when every circumstance which

the taste and ingenuity of our fair hostess could invent, conspired to heighten the entertainment.

12. The collation being ended, we rose from table, which I concluded to be the close of the entertainment, but was agreeably disappointed; the gardens were suddenly illuminated; we ranged about as fancy dictated, and were gratified with the sound of wind instruments, played by persons dispersed in different parts of the garden.

13. Repassing the bridge, we returned to the cottage, when the two eldest daughters of the princess, in Grecian dresses of a most elegant simplicity, performed a Polish and a Cossac dance; the former serious and graceful, the latter comic and lively. The eldest son, then eight years of age, danced a hornepipe with wonderful agility, and afterwards a dance in the manner of the Polish peasants with much humor.

14. It was now past two in the morning; we seemed as if we could stay forever, but as there must be an end of all sublunary joys, we took our leave, expressing our gratitude in language unequal to our feelings. I am satisfied that it seldom falls to the lot of any person, twice in his life, to. partake of such a pleasing entertainment.

THE

SOURCE OF THE DANUBE.

HE Danube, one of the largest rivers in Europe, has its source in the court yard of a palace belonging to the prince of Furstenberg in Swabia. It proceeds from some small springs bubbling from the ground, and forming a bason of clear water about thirty feet square, from which issues a little brook which is the Danube. Continually augmented by additional streams from the mountains of Switzerland, it swells to a mighty river, on which ships of war may sail, and fleets engage in battle. It pours its waters into the Euxine sea.

FALL OF THE RHINE.

HE Rhine has its source among the Alps, in the i. T country of the Grisons. At Lauffen, is a cataract

where the water tumbles over a rock and falls perpendic ularly about sixty feet. A scaffolding is erected within the very spray of the fall, where the traveller may view this interesting scene. A sea of foam rushing down the preci pice-a cloud of spray rising and spreading to a distance

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