a cathedral and a bishop. In America all incorporated towns with a mayor and aldermen are spoken of as cities. But modern cities are not walled like those in the caves. The latter accord more with ancient cities which were intramural. For "cities" are ancient. Cain built one. Walled cities were numerous in the land of Canaan. But from the Cities of the Plain to the Apocalyptic City of Gold, with foundations garnished with all manner of precious stones, it would be difficult to imagine anything more brilliant and sparkling than the Crystal Cities of the Jenolan Caves. Passing from the Crystal Cities to "The Show-room," about 20 yards north, several charming features present themselves for admiration, among which are conspicuous a glittering cascade, terraces of warm brown colour, reticulated; and also a pure white, delicately-made shawl hanging from the roof. The height of the crypt is about four feet, and its breadth 12 feet. The floor is mitred at the side, and between the shell borders are little forests of figures. Some elegant Doric shafts extend from the floor to the roof, which is adorned by many sparkling stalactites. The Show-room itself is a marvel of beauty. Its name indicates that it is a place of splendid exhibits, and it is appropriate. The cavern is 12 feet high, 12 feet wide, and about 40 yards long. Some of its principal features are remarkable for their elegance, and the most striking figure is distinguished by classic grace. It is a stalactite of purest white, seven or eight feet long, and from a little distance seems as smooth and round as though it had been turned in a lathe. It tapers very gradually, and its termination, which is thickened a little, rests on a stalagmite equally symmetrical, but formed in sections, each layer--of which there are about a dozen--indicating separate periods of formation and times of rest. This peculiar stalagmite stands on a dome marked by similar lights and shades. It is the centre of many varieties of cave ornamentation. For the most part the stalagmites are dumpy and poor, but there are numerous shelving platforms hung round with gorgeous stalactites, and above them are pieces of intricate formation, both floral and coral, of different classes of excellence. There are magic haunts and silent chambers with coruscations like twinkling stars on a "moon-deserted night." Nature has cast over the whole of this cave a spell of exquisite beauty. [Illustration: THE SHOW-ROOM.]