that pours from the roof.  Other avenues could most likely be found by sounding the sides of the pit, if any one had the courage to attempt the descent.  We are far enough from terra supra, and our dinner which we had left at the “Vineyard.”  We hastened back to the Rocky Mountains, and took the branch which we left at our right on emerging from the Cabinet.  Pursuing the uneven path for some distance, we reached “Serena’s Arbor,” which was discovered but three months since, by our guide “Mat.”  The descent to the Arbor seemed so perilous, from the position of the loose rocks around, that several of the party would not venture.  Those of us who scrambled down regarded this as the crowning object of interest.  The “Arbor” is not more than twelve feet in diameter, and of about the same height, of a circular form; but is, of itself, floor, sides, roof, and ornaments, one perfect, seamless stalactite, of a beautiful hue, and exquisite workmanship.  Folds or blades of stalactitic matter hang like drapery around the sides, reaching half way to the floor; and opposite the door, a canopy of stone projects, elegantly ornamented, as if it were the resting-place of a fairy bride.  Every thing seemed fresh and new; indeed, the invisible architect has not quite finished this master-piece; for you can see the pure water, trickling down its tiny channels and perfecting the delicate points of some of the stalactites.  Victoria, with all her splendor, has not in Windsor Castle, so beautiful an apartment as “Serena’s Arbor.”

Such is the description of Cleveland’s Avenue, as given by this clerical gentleman.  It is perfectly graphic, and corresponds with all the glowing accounts I have read of this famous place.  Exquisitely beautiful and rare as are the formations in this avenue, it will soon be, I fear, like the Grotto of Pensico—­shorn of its beauties.  Many a little Miss, to decorate her centre table or boudoir, and many a thoughtless dandy to present a specimen to his lady fair, have broken from the walls (regardless of the published rules prohibiting it,) those lovely productions of the Almighty, which required ages to perfect; thus destroying in a moment the work of centuries.  These beautiful and gorgeous formations were encrusted on the walls by the hands of our Maker, and who so impious as to desecrate them—­to tear them from their place? there they are, all lovely and beautiful, and there they ought to remain, untouched by the hands of man, for the admiration and wonder of all future ages.  If the comparatively small cave of Adelburg which belongs to the Emperor of Austria, be placed for the preservation of its formations under the protecting care of the government [Transcriber’s note:  sic] (as is the case,) what ought not to be done to preserve the mineralogical treasures, in this great Cave of America, and especially in Cleveland’s Cabinet, which are worth more than all the caves in Europe, indeed of the world, so far as our knowledge of caverns extends.