The crystallized cavern, the new wonder of the Derbyshire Peak, was
discovered some years ago in the vicinity of the village of Bradwell. We
extract the following particulars of this singular and beautiful natural
excavation, from Hutchinson’s tour in the High Peak.
The entrance is rather terrific than grand; and the descent, for about
thirty paces, very abrupt. The visitor has then to pass along the
inclined way for nearly a quarter of a mile, the opening being so low
that it is impossible to proceed, in particular parts, in an erect
posture. The different crystallizations which now attract his attention
on every side, soon make him forget the irksomeness of the road, and
banish every idea of fatigue. New objects of curiosity crowd one on the
other. In a place called the Music Chamber, the petrifactions take the
semblance of the pipes of an organ; while in other parts, these
stalactites are formed into elegant small colonnades, with as exact a
symmetry as if they had been chiseled by the most skillful artist.
Candles judiciously disposed within them, give an idea of the imaginary
palaces of fairies, or of sylphs and genii, who have chosen this for
their magnificent abode.
Still he has seen nothing comparable to what he is now to expect; for,
at the distance of about a hundred paces further, by a rugged descent,
he enters what is called the Grotto of Paradise. This heavenly spot, for
it can not be compared to anything terrestrial, is, of itself, a
beautiful crystallized cavern, about twelve feet high, and in length
twenty feet, pointed at the top, similar to a Gothic arch, with a
countless number of large stalactites hanging from the roof. Candles
placed among them give some idea of its being lighted up with elegant
glass chandeliers; while the sides are entirely incrusted, and brilliant
in the extreme. The floor is checkered with black and white spar. It
has, altogether, a most novel and elegant appearance. This glittering
apartment would be left by the visitor with a certain degree of regret,
did he not expect to see it again on his return.
Still continuing a route similar to the one he has passed, in the course
of which his attention is occasionally arrested by the curiosities of
the place, and by the gentle droppings of the water, which scarcely
break the solemn silence of the scene, he at length reaches the Grotto
of Calypso, and the extremity of the cavern, upward of two thousand feet
from the entrance. To see this grotto to advantage, he has to ascend
about six feet, into a recess. There, the beautiful appearance of the
different crystallizations, some of them of an azure cast, and the
echoes reverberating from side to side, make him fancy he has reached
the secluded retreat of some mythological deity.
Returning by the same path for a considerable distance, another cavern,
which branches in a south-west direction from the one already explored,
presents itself. The roads here are still more difficult of access, but
the stalactites are certainly most beautiful. Many of them, more than a
yard in length, are pendent from the roof, and the greater part do not
exceed the dimension of the smallest reed. The top and sides of this
cavern are remarkably smooth, particularly at the part called the
Amphitheater. In general, the stone is of a very dark color, to which
the transparent appearances before mentioned, with each a drop of water
hanging at its extremity, form a fine contrast.