Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/189

 [ '77 ]

sive works of the kind in Europe. The very happy approach to it is by a natural rent in the rock, dis- covered and cleared for the purpose last winter; which conducts to a sub-rupal passage, about one hundred yards long, s : x feet high, and two feet wide, cut out of the living rock about twelve years ago. From hence all light is excluded; so that directing our progress by feeling the wall, we con- tinued our way in outer darkness for some time; till a solemn golden radiance appeared before us, as if shed from a different sun than that which warms our globe, discovering a vaulted cavern supported by rude stone pillars. The effect is magical, and the maid (turned out of sober reality) indulges in fancies as pleasing as they are imaginary; till reaching the excavated chamber, we find that this beautiful illumination is occasioned by the solar light passing through small windows of stained glass, so disposed as not to be seen at a distance. Another gallery of large dimensions and more nu- merous pillars is connected with this; where, by a similar contrivance, a vai iety of different coloured lights are introduced, producing a prodigiously beautiful effect. To this the Grotto, properly so called, is united, supported by pillars and furnished in the accustomed style of these excavations, bill witl) great splendour and ex pence. A door opens

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