points of innumerable stalactites, which hang from the roofs above; and the columns of spar resting on pedestals, which, in some places, appear to be formed to support the arches above-the reflection of the lights, and the great extent and variety of this amazing cavern, form altogether, one of the most pleasing and interesting scenes that was ever beheld by the eye of mortal

man.

The cavern has been but partially explored, and no one, who has been into it, although some suppose they have travelled more than one hundred rods, pretends to have found the extent of it, or to know the number of rooms, halls, and chambers which it contains.

IV. EXTRACTS FROM A TRAVELLER'S PORT-FOLIO. [Spectator. N. Y.]

RICHMOND.

RICHMOND, the metropolis of the "Ancient Dominion,' stands upon the head of the tide waters of the James. In its situation there is much to admire. From its elevation it commands an extensive prospect of the surrounding country; a prospect variegated with hill and dale, interspersed with the "hospitable domes" of wealth and elegance, and with the "humble sheds" of poverty and slavery. On the south side of the city are the falls. These are formed by the gradual descent of the river. From the huge and numerous rocks, which obstruct its passage, the several opposing islands, and the constant dashing and roaring of waters, these falls present to the eye a truly interesting scene. Their heavy sound falling upon the ear in the lonely midnight hour, mingled with the harsh notes of the sentinel, and the deep and hollow tones of the watch-bell, forms that union of circumstances, which, it might be supposed, would render Richmond the favoured residence of the muses; but Melpomene and Clio. who, if any, must preside at this Parnassus, it seems have not yet deigned to acknowledge their authority.

The several hills in the different parts of the city add much to its variety and beauty; and although "in all

unlike," are sure to remind the traveller of transatlantic Richmond, and the scholar of ancient Rome. The houses are built principally upon three streets, running in a westerly direction from the river, parallel to each other, and upon the numerous other streets intersecting these at right angles. They are mostly of brick and distinguished neither for elegance nor neatness. In about the centre stands the capitol, upon a hill that completely overlooks the town. This is the boast of Virginian architecture. It is a spacious edifice and, though in its appearance it displays that boldness and independence which have ever characterized the legislalative bodies, that have convened in it; it is deficient in that elegance, symmetry, and aptitude of design, which we should expect in the capitol of Virginia. In these respects it is inferior to the city-hall of New-York, or the state-house at Albany. Besides a large number of state offices, it contains a commodious senate chamber, an apartment for the house of delegates, and a spacious court room. As might be expected, the state, proud of being the birth-place of the immortal Washington, and honourably solicitous to perpetuate his memory, has not neglected to place here, in this focus of its energies and authority, a lasting memorial of his virtues. The statue stands in the vestibule of the capitol. It is neatly executed, and is said to be a striking likeness. In it the two predominant traits of his character are admirably blended and happily expressed; the one, his military endowments, by his costume: the other, his predilection for rural occupations, by the implements of husbandry that surround him." On the latter his arm is gracefully reclining. Near him is placed the bust of De La Fayette, his faithful concomitant in arms.

The other public buildings are a banking-house, occupied by the Farmer's Bank, and Bank of Virginia, an armory, court-house, penitentiary, and several churches; the latter, as the people of Richmond are not remarkable for their church-going habits, are neither large nor elegant. I was disappointed to find here another theatre, and much more so, to find that its finished walls were echoing the allurements of pleasure, before the

"monumental church," erected upon the ashes of the old one, and consecrated to the memory of that awful conflagration, and of the persons, who perished in it, was entirely completed.

To a northern man, upon his first arrival in Virginia, there are two things, which principally attract attention; viz._difference of character, and the state of slavery. That there is a wide difference between the northern and southern character, manners, customs, &c. is soon apparent. This difference may be ascribed partly to natural and partly to adventitious causes. the royal queen said of Carthage and its inhabitants, the Virginians may say,

"Non obtusa adeo gestamus pictora Poeni :

Nec tam aversus equos Tyria Sol jungit ab urbe.”

As

The influence of slavery is, however, much more extensive. To this source may be traced the principal distinguishing traits of character. Among the Virginians may be observed more delicacy or sensibility, a higher spirit of personal independence and bravery, a deeper regard to the obligations of friendship, more cordiality, hilarity and dissipation. In mental culture and refinement, and in the improvement of the arts, it must be admitted we are at least a quarter of a century before them. There are but two endowed literary, institutions in the state, and these have ever been fettered in their exertions by the ill-judged parsimony of the legislature, and are now restricted by the same illiberal spirit. The central university, now erecting under the superintendence of Mr. Jefferson, if conducted upon the extensive plan proposed, will, in a measure, retrieve the literary character of the state and form an agreeable and useful resort for our literati, that will do honour to the head that projected it, and the authority that patronized and erected it.. It may be noticed, that except in the larger towns, literature and the fine arts have not many votaries. The young men are not sedulous in their exertions to drink of the spring of Parnassus, or to ascend the rugged hill of science. We see little of that literary taste prevailing that characterizes the New-England states. Among the farmers and plant

ers, whose occupations free from labour and oppressive care, seem favourable to

"Calm contemplation, and poetic ease,"

we see little to induce the belief that they have drank more deeply at the "Pierian Spring" than a sufficiency "to intoxicate the brain." This, however, is a general remark; for there are here, men in all the professions of life, whose literary acquirements are not surpassed by those of any scholar in our country.

If there be any political differences existing between the good people of the north and south, the stranger will be reminded of them here. The people, generally republican in principle, and independent in action, proud of having produced in Henry "the moving ball of the revolution," in Washington," the father of our country," in Jefferson, "the founder of genuine republicanism," and in Madison and Munroe the able supporters and defenders of their country's rights, hesitate not, boldly, to declare their sentiments and their feelings, and to assert that pro rebus gestes et meritis, Virginia's voice should ever be listened to with an almost parental veneration.

JAMESTOWN.

Take passage down the James. The bar five miles below Richmond prevents the passage of the larg er ships to the city. Hence they receive their lading at Warwick, a small landing near the bar; or now generally, a part of it here, and the remainder at City Point, a village, situated at the junction of the James and Appomatox. A few miles below this is fort Powhattan. It is in a dilapidated state, and has done in the defence of the country, all it ever will do; to wit, NOTHING. Not far distant, upon the bank of the river, was pointed out to me the birth-place of its projector, the illustrious Jefferson. It is an ordinary mansion, of an ordinary planter. It's appearance, while it proves the superiority of his talents and his worth, and shows the regard of our county to merit, suggests the idea that genius and distinction in this republic, are not confined to the palaces of the great.

The scenery presented to the spectator from the

banks of the river, is by no means picturesque or interesting when compared with that of the "majestic Hudson." The eye meets here none of" nature's disports,' no bold and precipitous shores-rocks piled on rocks, and highlands towering to the skies; but the labours of her milder hours,-extensive valleys occasionally variegated with a gentle eminence, skirted with woodlands and adorned with marshes.

There is, however, upon this river, one object which must arrest the attention of every intelligent traveller,— that is, the site of ancient Jamestown. As this was the first place of a permanent European settlement in this country, the theatre of actions, alike honourable to savage and civilized life; as it has become in this new world a place reinarkable for its antiquity; a memento of the ravages of time; and as it is the cemetery of many of our progenitors, it is connected in the mind of every American, with a thousand interesting associations. In the surrounding scenery there is little to divert the eye, or please the fancy. There is remaining of the vestiges of the ancient occupants, barely sufficient to tell the passing stranger "Ilium fuit." It is the imagination principally, that gives interest to the scene. At this season of the year, however, when the adjacent forests that far and near crowd upon the eye 66 are tinged with the hues of earliest autumn," nature seems dressed in an attire best calculated to aid the imagination to ruminate upon the emotions which recollections and associations have inspired. As I put foot upon this romantic spot, the sun was just gilding it with his last glimmering beams: several vessels at anchor were waiting the favour of the tide; no sound was heard but the lashing of the recurring flood; all nature seemed to conspire to render the scene favourable to contemplation and poetic musing.

There is now on the premises but one building and a few out-houses. The former occupied by the steward of the gentleman who owns the whole premises, the latter by the servants who work on the plantation. The whole land is in a state of cultivation. Of the ançient village nothing now remains, but the demolished