After they had partaken of the refreshments so bountifully furnished on the surface of the earth, they were invited by the proprietors of the mines to a feast under the earth that rivalled in splendor the dreams of Aladdin. They were conducted to the main entrance of No. 11 vein of coal, where cars drawn by mules, had been provided in which to take the journey; and taking their seats, each one having provided himself with a little tin miner’s lamp, they were whirled into the bosom of mother earth through a solid vein of coal eight feet in thickness, around curves and up grades for at least a mile—the miners blasting in the vein beneath, (No. 9,) sounded like a salute of welcome from distant canon. Approaching their destination, away off through the dark cavern could be seen twinkling lights, like stars on the brow of night, which, on a nearer approach, were discovered to be a thousand candles lighting up a magnificent chamber or Hall. The contrast between the narrow and dark tunnel through which they had been conveyed and the lighted chamber was grand and inspiring; but when on approaching nearer, the car was greeted by the notes of the “Red, White and Blue” from a brass band stationed at the extreme end, it became overwhelming, and the souls that had been hushed into awe and silence by the wonders of the journey and the grandeur of the scene broke forth into loud huzzahs that made the hallways ring. It brought to memory the tale of some robber chieftain returning with his booty to his home in the cave. Getting out of the cars they found themselves in a large and spacious room cut out of solid coal, with chandeliers of candles pending from the roof and jetting out from the sides; two long rows of tables, capable of seating two hundred persons, covered with white cloth and laden with the fat of the land—mutton, hams, the nicest of butter, bread and cakes, the purest old Java and the richest of cream to give it flavor and color. Attentive waiters under the direction of the proprietors were busy in making each guest whet his appetite.