NEW-YORK _July 1, 1796_.
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[[For sources, see the end of the second installment.]]
_+Description+ of the famous SALT MINES at +Williska+ in +Poland+._
There are mines of salt in Hungary, Catalonia, and many other parts of
Europe, but the greatest in the world is that at Williska in Poland,
from which a great part of the continent is supplied. Williska is a
small town not far from Cracow, and the mine has been worked ever since
the year 1251, when it was accidentally found in digging for a well.
There are eight openings or descents into this mine, six in the field,
and two in the town itself, which are most used for letting down the
workmen, and taking up the salt; the others being mostly used for
letting in wood and necessaries.
The openings are five square, and about four feet wide; they are lined
throughout with timber, and at the top of each there is a large wheel
with a rope as thick as a cable, by which things are let down and drawn
up: it is worked by a horse. When a stranger has a curiosity to see
these works, he must descend by one of these holes; he is first to put
on a miner’s coat over his clothes, and then being led to the mouth of
the hole by a miner, who serves for a guide, the miner fastens a smaller
rope to the larger one, and ties it about himself; he sits in this, and
taking the stranger in his lap, he gives the sign to be let down. They
are carried down a narrow and dark well to the depth of six hundred feet
perpendicular; this is in reality an immense depth, but the terror and
tediousness of the descent makes it appear to most people vastly more
than it is. As soon as the miner touches the ground at the bottom, he
slips out of the rope, and sets his companion upon his legs.
The place where they are set down here is perfectly dark, but the miner
strikes fire, and lights a small lamp, by means of which (taking the
stranger he has care of by the arm) he leads him through a number of
strange passages and meanders, all descending lower and lower, till they
come to certain ladders by which they descend an immense depth, and this
through passages perfectly dark. The damp, cold, and darkness of these
places, and the horror of being so many yards under ground, generally
makes strangers heartily repent before they get thus far; but when at
bottom they are well rewarded for their pains, by a sight that could
never have been expected after so much horror.
(_The conclusion in our next._)
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[[This serial began in No. 45 of the New-York Weekly; the last 4 of
its 12 installments are in Volume II. For sources, see the end of the
final (4th) installment.]]
THE FATAL EFFECTS OF INDULGING THE PASSIONS,
Exemplified in the History of M. De La Paliniere.
_Translated from the French._
(Continued from page 410 of Vol. I.)
I informed her of my determination, assuring her, at the same time, it
was irrevocable. I confess, however, notwithstanding my certitude, at
moments, of her hatred, I secretly flattered myself, that this
declaration would astonish, and produce a most lively emotion in Julia;
and it is certain, had I discovered the least signs of regret on her
part, I should have cast myself at her feet, and abjured a resolution
which pierced my very soul.
I was deceived in supposing myself hated; I was equally wrong in
imagining my conduct could inspire even momentary love. Great minds are
incapable of hatred; but a continued improper and bad conduct will
produce indifference, as it did with Julia. I had lost her heart past
recal. She heard me with tranquility, without surprize, and without
emotion. My reputation, said she, is already injured, and this will
confirm the unjust suspicions of the public; but if my presence is an
obstacle to your happiness, I am ready to depart; my innocence is still
my own, and I shall have sufficient strength to submit to my fate.
Cruel woman! cried I, shedding a torrent of tears, with what ease do you
speak of parting!
Is it not your own proposal!
And is it not I who adore you, and you who hate me!
Of what benefit is your love to me; or of what injury is what you call
my hatred to you?
I have made you unhappy; I am unjust, capricious, mad; and yet if you do
hate me, Julia, your revenge is too severe; there is no misery can equal
your hatred.