A Visit to the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky
John Wilson takes readers on a journey to the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. He begins by describing the cave’s history and geology, and then takes readers on a tour of the cave’s many chambers and passageways. Along the way, he shares stories of the cave’s discovery and exploration, as well as its unique wildlife and geological features. He also provides information on the cave’s many recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, and spelunking. Finally, he offers advice on how to make the most of a visit to the Mammoth Cave.
By John Wilson · First published 1849 · Genre: Travel Writing, Non-Fiction, Nature Writing · 3 chapters · 9,556 words
First lines
The necessary alterations having been made in the costume of my two daughters, namely, the petticoats being shortened, and trousers being donned -- pants, I ought to have said, for trousers are never named here, and breeches are never made -- and caps being placed upon their craniums, a gentleman, who accompanied us from Nashville, and myself, having been provided with coats that had been coats once, and low-crowned soft hats, we set off for the cave. We were fortunate in getting the services of the favourite guide Stephen, to whom we had a letter from a lady in Nashville. He is an active, intelligent, attentive, capital fellow, and after walking some 200 yards through an avenue of shady trees, we found him near the entrance, with his lamps ready to light, his flask of oil on his back, and one basket of provisions. We descended by about thirty rude steps to the entrance, where our lamps being lighted, we bade farewell for a while to the light of day. In a very short time we come to a wall that had been built by the miners, and in which there is a door-way, inside of which we are fairly in the cave. The temperature of the cave is always at sixty, and when the temperature out of doors is higher, the air rushes out at this doorway, so as to blow out the lamps, if the command of the guide is not obeyed to keep your lamps before you. At first one cannot see very well -- the eyes are not yet accustomed to penetrate the darkness -- the lamps only tended to make the darkness more visible. By and by we get more used to it. The "Church," as it is called, is the first apartment where we make a halt. It is very large, with galleries round it, and a projection of rock at one side, called the pulpit. Being told by the guide to put our lights behind us, he set fire to a Bengal light, and then we were struck with wonder and awe at the splendour and the vastness of the rocky apartment. For size, Exeter Hall is nothing to it. During the season service is performed in it by some of the clergymen visitors, and the effect must be very sublime, to see each worshipper sitting with his lamp, listening to the Word, joining in prayer to the Lord of all, and singing his praises. Each person enters with his lamp, of course, but on coming to the church the lamps are all placed together, so as to make one general grand light.
What this Textopian page supports
A Visit to the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Wilson, dated 1849 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: John Wilson
- Date: 1849 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Travel Writing, Non-Fiction, Nature Writing, History
- Length: 9,556 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Visit to the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky by John Wilson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Travel Writing — The title of the book implies that it is a narrative of a visit to the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, which is a form of travel writing.
- Non-Fiction — The book is likely to be a factual account of the author's visit to the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, making it a non-fiction work.
- Nature Writing — The book is likely to focus on the natural features of the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, making it a nature writing work.
- History — The book may include historical information about the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, making it a historical work.
Tags
1800-1849 · 1849 · John · Mammoth Cave (Ky.) · Wilson · another · apartment · avenue · bengal · called · cave · ceiling