ed. He immediately fainted on reaching the top, and it
was some time before he could be recovered!

It was interesting to see the path up these awful rocks, and to follow
in imagination this bold youth as he thus saved his life. His name
stands far above all the rest, a monument of hardihood, of rashness, and
of folly.

We lingered around this seat of grandeur about four hours; but, from my
own feelings, I should not have supposed it over half an hour. There is
a little cottage near, lately built; here we were desired to write our
names, as visitors of the bridge, in a large book kept for this purpose.
Two large volumes were nearly filled in this manner already. Having
immortalised our names by enrolling them in this book, we slowly and
silently returned to our horses, wondering at this great work of nature;
and we could not but be filled with astonishment at the amazing power of
Him who can clothe Himself in wonder and terror, or throw around His
works a mantle of sublimity.

WIER'S CAVE.

About three days' ride from the Natural Bridge brought Mr. Todd and his
companions to a place called Port Republic, about twenty miles from the
town of Staunton. Here they prepared themselves to visit this other
natural curiosity.

The shower was now over, which had wet us to the skin--the sun was
pouring down his most scorching rays--the heavy thunder had gone by; we
threw around our delighted eyes, and beheld near us the lofty Alleghany
rearing his shaggy head. The south branch of the Shenandoah river, with
its banks covered with beautiful trees, was murmuring at our feet--a
lovely plain stretched below us, as far as the eye could reach; and we,
with our guide, were now standing about half way up a hill nearly two
hundred feet high, and so steep that a biscuit may be thrown from its
top into the river at its foot--we were standing at the mouth of WIER'S
CAVE. This cavern derives its name from _Barnet Wier_, who discovered it
in the year 1804. It is situated near Madison's Cave, so celebrated;
though the latter cannot be compared with the former.

There were three of us, besides our guide, with lighted torches, and our
loins girded, now ready to descend into the cave. We took our torches in
our left hands and entered. The mouth was so small that we could descend
only by creeping, one after another. A descent of almost twenty yards
brought us into the first room. The cave was exceedingly cold, dark, and
silent, like th