The Jenolan Caves: An Excursion in Australian WonderlandCook, Samuel
History
The Jenolan Caves: An Excursion in Australian Wonderland
Cook, Samuel
Australia -- Description and travel; Caves; Jenolan Caves (N.S.W.)
edges are sharp as knives from the centre to the upper point; but from
the centre to the end which is joined to others, the sharp edge is
replaced by a smooth surface, as though a cut had been made with a
razor. The upper ends of these prisms are clear as glass; the lower ends
are a little cloudy. The brilliancy of the combination is marvellous.
CHAPTER XXX.
GENERAL IMPRESSIONS.
When the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon she went to
Jerusalem with a great train, with camels that bore spices and large
quantities of gold and precious stones, and fully satisfied the
curiosity commonly attributed to her sex. She proved the wisdom of the
far-famed monarch, admired his house and its appointments, the apparel
of his servants, the attendance of his ministers, and the magnificence
of his daily table; and, according to Josephus, she said: "As for the
report, it only attempted to persuade our hearing, but did not so make
known the dignity of the things themselves as does the sight of them,
and being present among them. I, indeed, who did not believe what was
reported by reason of the multitude and grandeur of the things I
inquired about, do see them to be much more numerous than they were
reported to be." Or, as the verdict of "the Queen of the South" is given
in the Authorized Version of the Old Testament, "I believed not the
words until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, behold, the half was
not told me." A similar testimony will be borne by most visitors in
regard to the magnificence of the Jenolan Caves, and "the multitude and
grandeur" of the objects which excite surprise or challenge admiration
at almost every step. Jenolan is a veritable wonderland, as well as a
most interesting geological study. It presents features sufficiently
sublime to touch the deepest chords of the human heart: forms
sufficiently graceful to charm the artist; situations affording novel
material for the romancist; configurations, transmutations, and
fascinations to move the soul of the poet; and vast, silent cathedrals
which inspire a feeling of devotion, for--
"Nature, with folded hands, seems there
Kneeling at her evening prayer."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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