In this state are also many singular cavities or depressions in the surface of the ground, called sink holes.' They are commonly in the shape of inverted cones, 60 or 70 feet in depth, and from 60 to 300 feet in circumference at the top. Their sides and bottoms are generally covered with willows and aquatic productions. The ear can often distinguish the sound of waters flowing under them, and it is believed that they are perforations in the bed of limestone below the soil, which have caused the earth above to sink. The common people imagine them to have been huge wells, at which the mammoths of former times quenched their thirst. Sometimes the ground has been opened, and disclosed a subterraneous stream of water at the bottom of these cavities, and in one instance, a mill was erected over the invisible river.

when the cavern was first discovered, this part of it was nearly filled with earth, which has been recently manufactured into saltpetre.

'Having prepared ourselves with a sufficient quantity of provision, oil and candles, and taking two persons as guides, we took our last view of the daylight, and proceeded forward, closing the door behind us. Immediately we found ourselves in thick and almost palpable darkness, the whole of our four lights spread but a feeble radiance about us. Such is the height at this place, that we were hardly able to discover the top, and to see from one side to the other was utterly impossible. From this place, extended several cabins, or, as travellers have named them, rooms, in different directions. This part of the cave is called the First Hopper. The soil at the bottom of the cave is very light, and strongly impregnated with salt. The sides and top are formed of. rock. We proceeded forward, passing several rooms on our right, and one on our left, until we arrived at the second Hopper, a distance of four miles from the mouth. About one mile in the rear of this, was pointed out to us by our guide, the place where the celebrated mummy was found, in a sitting posture, by the side of the cavern, enveloped in a mat, and in a complete state of preservation.

'We next entered the room denominated the Haunted Chamber. It is nearly two miles in length, 20 feet in height and 10 in breadth, extending nearly the whole length in a right line. The top is formed of smooth, white stone, soft, and much resembling the plastering of a room. There is a small quantity of water constantly, though almost imperceptibly, falling from above, which in the course of ages has worn from the stone at the top, some beautiful pillars, which extend to the bottom of the room. They have the appearance of being the work of art. In one of them, there is formed a complete chair, with arms, which has received the name of Arm Chair. By the side of this, a clear pool of water, strongly impregnated with sulphur. The sides of the room are likewise elegantly adorned with a variety of figures, formed from the stone at the top, and coming down upon the side of the cavern, like icicles in the winter, from the eaves of buildings, the reflection of our lights upon them forming a most brilliant appearance. At the end of this room we descended a kind of natural staircase, to the depth of near three hundred feet in many places, affording only room for one person to proceed. Here we found a beautiful stream of pure water, winding its way along between the rocks. The situation of this part of the cavern is rendered really awful, from its being associated with a variety of names that travellers have given it. The portrait of his Satanic Majesty is painted here upon the rocks, and a large flat stone, resting its corners upon four others, is called his Dining Table. A short distance from this, is a place said to be his Forging Shop. On the whole, they are admirably calculated to frighten the cowardly. We returned to the main cavern, and resumed our course, climbing over rocks that had evidently fallen from above, and passing a number of rooms on our right and left. With much exertion, we reached the place denominated the Six Corners, in consequence of six rooms or caverns here, taking different directions. Not having time to examine these, we proceeded to the first water fall, about two miles further, over a level plain. The track of persons who might have preceded us for ages, were as plainly visible in the sand as when first made. There is no air stirring that would move the slightest feather, or prevent the impression of a footstep from remaining for centuries. We now directed our course to the Chief City, about one mile further. A large hill situated in the centre of the cave would have exhibited a most commanding prospect, if the darkness had not obstructed our vision. One of us, however, standing upon the top, with the lights stationed at different parts of its base, obtained a novel and interesting view of the cavern. There is an echo here that is very powerful, and we improved it with a song, much to our gratification. We started forward again, travelling over a plain of two miles extent, and about the same distance over the rocks and hills, when we arrived at the second water-fall. The water here dashes into a pit below of immense depth. A circumstance occurred here that had nearly proved fatal to one of us. The

9. FACE OF THE COUNTRY. Kentucky presents a waving and diversified
surface without being mountainous, except on the eastern limit. The centre
of the state is beautifully undulating, and there is a tract 100 miles in length,
and 50 in breadth, which for the beauty of its landscape, the delightful as
pect
of its open groves, and the fertility of its soil, is thought to be unequal-
led in the country. In the eastern part, the mountain streams wind round
the bases of the low hills, cutting deep gullies in the soil. Many of these
places are overgrown with immense poplars, sometimes 8 feet in diameter,
and exhibit scenes of indescribable beauty. The Barrens in the western
parts are covered with grass, and trees are thinly scattered upon them.

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY.

1. DIVISIONS. Kentucky is divided into 83 counties.* The population is 688,844, of whom 165,350 are slaves.

sides of the pit are formed of loose rocks, and we amused ourselves by rolling them
down, in order to hear them strike the bottom. Such is the depth of it, that a minute
elapsed before we could hear them strike, and the sound but very faint. One of our
party venturing too near, for the purpose of rolling a large stone, started the foundation
on which he stood, and was precipitated down about twenty feet, with the tumbling
stones, but fortunately, a projecting rock saved him from destruction. This put an end
to all our amusements; and being much fatigued with a travel of twenty-four hours on
foot, and seeing no fairer prospects of finding the end, than when we commenced, we
concluded to return. We accordingly took up our line of march, returning the way we
came. After being forty-two hours absent from the light of day, we again found our-
selves at the mouth of the Cavern, and gave ourselves up to a refreshing sleep.

There are a number of pits of great depth, in different parts of the cave, which made it necessary to be very careful in exploring it. There is danger, also, of taking some unexplored room, and becoming so lost as not to be able to find the way out. This is, however, obviated by the precaution that has been taken as far as has been explored, to place the figure of an arrow at the entrance of every room, pointing to the mouth of the cave. Care should always be taken to preserve the light, as it would be impossible for any one to find the way back in darkness, farther than the first Hopper. We found the names of ladies inscribed at the farthest points we reached, and our guide remarked that they were the most courageous visiters he ever had. For three miles from the mouth, the sides and top of the cavern are covered with a remarkable quantity of bats, hanging down from the top in the form of bee hives, from two to three feet thick, They are in a torpid state, and are seldom known to fly. There are about twenty dif ferent rooms that have been discovered, and but three of them that have been explored to the end. This vast cavern is apparently hollow beneath, from the sound that is made by walking through many of the rooms. It would probably take months to explore to the end of all the rooms that have been, and which remain yet to be discovered. The removing of some few obstructions, at a trifling expense, and lighting the cavern, would enable a stage coach to go with safety to the second water fall, a distance of fifteen miles.-N. E. Weekly Review.

FLEE

Breckenridge

Bullitt

Butler

Caldwell
Campbell

Casey
Christian

Clarke

Clay

Cumberland

Grant

Grayson
Greene

Greenup
Hardin
Harlan
Harrison
Hart

Henderson

Logan
Madison

Mason

Mercer

Monroe
Montgomery
Muhlenburg
Nelson

Nicholas

Todd

Trigg

Union

Warren
Washington

Wayne

Whitely

Woodford

2. RAILROAD. A railroad from Lexington to the Ohio, at Louisville, was begun in October, 1831; the distance is between 70 and 80 miles.

3. CANAL. The Louisville and Portland Canal passes round the falls of the Ohio, between those two towns. It is two miles in length, and admits the passage of steamboats of the largest size. Most of it is cut through a solid rock of limestone. It overcomes a fall of 24 feet in the river.

4. TOWNS. Louisville is the largest town. It stands on the southern bank of the Ohio, about a quarter of a mile above the principal declivity of the falls; a stream called Beargrass Creek, falls into the river above the town, and affords a harbor for the steamboats and river craft. The site of the town is a gently sloping plain; the principal streets run parallel with the Ohio, and command a fine view of the opposite shore. The main street is a mile in length, compactly built, and has many fine buildings. The town has considerable manufactures of cordage and bagging, and a great commerce by way of the river. Pop. 10,352.

Lexington is the oldest town in the state, and was for many years the seat of government. It stands in a beautiful spot, on a branch of the Elkhorn river, in the centre of the richest tract in the state. The principal street is a mile and a quarter in length, spacious, and well paved. The buildings are much superior in size and elegance to those of the other towns in the state, and may be compared to those of the Atlantic country. The Transylvania University is established here. The public inns are large and convenient. The town has manufactories of woolen, cotton, and paper. The general appearance of the town is neat, and the neighborhood is adorned with many handsome villas, and finely ornamented rural mansions. Pop. 6,104.

Maysville, on the Ohio, a considerable distance above Louisville, occupies a narrow bottom below the mouth of Limestone Creek, which affords a harbor for boats. It is a thriving town, and enjoys both the river and inland trade. It has manufactories of glass and other articles. Pop. 2,040.

Frankfort is the seat of government. It stands on the east bank of the Kentucky, 60 miles above its entrance into the Ohio, and occupies a deep valley. The state house is built of rough marble, taken from quarries in the deep limestone banks of the river. Here is also the state penitentiary. A chain bridge crosses the river. Vessels designed for the sea, have been built here, and floated down the river to New Orleans. Pop, 1,680.

Newport and Covington are two small towns on the Ohio, divided by Licking river. They are directly opposite Cincinnati, and may be considered as suburbs of that city. Newport has an arsenal of the United States. These towns exhibit a beautiful appearance, from the hills north of Cincinnati.

Bardstown, on a branch of Salt river, has a Catholic seminary, where pupils from various parts of the western states receive instruction. Danville, Augusta, Princeton, and Georgetown have also seminaries entitled colleges. 5. AGRICULTURE. Wheat, hemp, and tobacco, are the staple articles of culture. The wheat is of the finest kind. Maize is also cultivated, and cotton is raised in small quantities, for domestic use. Grapes flourish here, and there are many vineyards which produce wine. Most of the grains, pulses, and fruits of the temperate zone grow here.

6. COMMERCE. The river trade is so extensive that it may take the name of commerce. This consists mostly of exports of flour, grain, butter, cheese, whiskey, cider, fruit, pork, lard, horses and cattle, and manufactured goods, to New Orleans. Steamboats are the principal craft, but there are also great numbers of flat boats navigating the river. The horses and cattle, which are reared in great numbers, are transported down the river in flat boats, or driven across the mountains to the Atlantic country.

7. GOVERNMENT. The legislature is called the General Assembly, and consists of a Senate and House of Representatives. The senators are chosen for 4 years, and the representatives annually. The Governor is chosen for 4 years, and is ineligible for 7 years after the expiration of his term of office. Elections are popular, and suffrage is universal. Kentucky sends 12 representatives to Congress.

8. RELIGION. The Baptists have 289 ministers; the Methodists, 77; the Presbyterians, 70; the Catholics 30, and the Episcopalians 5. There is also a sect called the Cumberland Presbyterians.

9. EDUCATION. Transylvania University, at Lexington, was established in 1798, and is the oldest in the western country. It has 6 instructers, and 93 students. Its libraries have 4,000 volumes. It has two vacations in spring and autumn. Commencement is in September. The Central College at Danville, was founded in 1822. It has 4 instructers, and 66 students. There is a college at Augusta, founded in 1823; another, called Cumberland College, at Princeton, founded in 1825; and another at Georgetown, founded in 1830. At Bardstown, is a Catholic seminary, called St Joseph's College. Education is generally in a backward state. Attempts have been recently made to introduce a system of common schools into the state.

10. HISTORY. This state was originally a part of Virginia. The first settler within its limits was the celebrated Daniel Boone, who built a log hut, and established himself here with his family, in 1769. The town of Harrodsburg was founded in 1774; and Lexington, in 1776. A separation from Virginia took place in 1790; and in 1792, Kentucky was admitted into the Union. The present constitution was formed in 1799.

1. BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT. Ohio is bounded N. by Michigan Territory and Lake Erie; E. by Pennsylvania and Virginia; S. by Virginia, and Kentucky, and W. by Indiana. It extends from 38° 30′ to 42° N. lat., and from 80 35 to 84° 47′ W. lon. It is about 220 miles in length and breadth, and contains 40,000 square miles.

2. RIVERS. The Ohio which gives name to this state, is formed by the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela at Pittsburg; it flows in a very serpentine course, southwesterly into the Mississippi. It is 908 miles in length by its windings, though the distance from Pittsburg to its mouth in a straight line is only 614. It forms the whole southern limit of this state, and in the lower part of its course divides Kentucky from Indiana and Illinois. From Pittsburg to Cincinnati it is above a third of a mile in width. Below Cumberland river, its average width is above a mile. Its depth varies 50 feet, according to the season. The heats of the summer dry up the head streams, and the river decreases till September, when it is at its lowest stage. At this time, it may be forded at the falls near Louisville, though in every other part it is navigable for boats. Towards the end of the year it begins to rise, and in March it reaches its highest point. A sudden flood will sometimes raise it 12 feet in a single night. At Pittsburg, it is commonly frozen for several weeks in the depth of winter, and even for 400 miles below. At the breaking up of the ice, immense damage is sometimes occasioned, in the

destruction of all kinds of river vessels. For about half the year, it is navigable by large steamboats through its whole course. At Louisville, is a fall or rather a rapid, which is the only obstruction of that kind from Pittsburg to the sea; this is avoided by the canal described in the preceding chapter.

The Ohio is a very beautiful stream, and was denominated by the French discoverers, la belle riviere. It contains more than an hundred islands, and its banks are varied with rich cultivated intervals, and bold, towering bluffs. Its current is commonly gentle, but varies from two to four miles an hour. In autumn, its waters glide calmly between broad and clean sand bars. In the spring, it rolls in full current, and inundates many of the islands between its banks.

The Muskingum rises in the northeastern part of the state, and flows southerly into the Ohio. It is 200 miles in length, and is navigable for boats 100 miles. It is connected by a canal with Lake Erie. The Scioto rises in the western part, and flows southerly into the Ohio. It is about 200 miles in length, and is navigable 130. There are rich and beautiful prairies on this river, and its valley is wide and fertile. A canal passes along this valley, and extends northeasterly to Lake Erie. The Great Miami rises in the western part, and flows southerly to the Ohio; it is above 100 miles in length, and has a rapid current, but is difficult of navigation. The Little Miami flows nearly parallel to the former, into the Ohio. Both these streams water a pleasant, healthy, and fertile country. The Maumee rises in the northeastern part of Indiana, and flows through the northwestern part of this state into Lake Erie; it is broad and deep, but has an obstruction, from shoals and rapids, 33 miles above its mouth. The Sandusky rises in the northern part, and flows northerly into Lake Erie: it is 100 miles in length, and is navigable. The Cuyahoga is a small stream in the northeast, falling into Lake Erie. The Ohio canal passes along its valley to the lake. 3. BAYS AND HARBORS. This state has above Lake Erie. This extent embraces several harbors. west, is 20 miles in length, and from three to four with the lake by a narrow strait, and affords an harbor of Cleveland, at the outlet of the Ohio canal, and that of Ashtabula, farther east, are frequented by steamboats and other lake craft.

150 miles of coast upon Sandusky Bay, in the wide; it communicates excellent harbor. The

4. CLIMATE. The general temperature of the air is some degrees warmer than in the Atlantic regions, in the same parallel. The winters are often severe, and the Ohio has been frozen at Cincinnati, for two months. The summer is subject to tornadoes, but the autumn is always temperate, serene, and pleasant. Along the valley of the Ohio, the weather is more equable and mild than in the interior. In the southern part there is little snow; in the north, the snows are deep, and there is much sleighing in winter. Near marshy spots, and stagnated waters, fevers and agues prevail, especially among the new settlers; but in general, the state may be pronounced healthy.

5. SOIL. Nine tenths of the surface of this state are susceptible of cultivation. The intervals of the rivers are highly fertile. In the interior, are the largest tracts of rich level plain, in any settled portion of the United States. The prairies produce no timber except a few scattered trees, and now and then a small grove. Some of them are marshy, and the more elevated are called barrens, yet they have often a tolerably fertile soil. The eastern and the southeastern parts are the most hilly; but hardly any portion of the surface is sufficiently broken to be unfavorable to tillage. The marshy tracts in the north, have an excellent soil, and may be easily drained when all the other good land in the state is occupied. On the whole, Ohio regarded as one of the most fertile countries in the world.

may

be