A CAVERN OF MYSTERY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1639, 18 August 1887, Page 3

A CAVERN OF MYSTERY.

Probably one of the most unique sights ever seen m the Northern Counties is the 'Oavern of Mysteries' at the Liverpool Exhibition. The oarern is eitmted olose by the Fairy Fountain and Lecture Hall ; it is approached by a spacious door m tht front of the building, over nhich ia the portentous announcement, ' L ny« fa 4 * behind all ye who cuter bore.' V\ hlo m the passage leading to the oavorn, \h<) visitor is at once struck by the weird character of the eoene that presents itself tbe Bubdued li^ht which pervades the Interior heghteoing the effect. Proceeding a short distance along the paasoge, a door, stadded with large nails is seen, m which an aperture sppears. Through this a bright light shines for the purpoae cf illuminating the fii'Bt of the ' mysteries,' which ia a picture representing the suicide of a gambler. The figure of a man m tbe act of committing suicide, with hia child clinging to him pit-jonsiy, has been brought out ia relief. In his band ia eoen the weapon with whicn he oommita tho mad aot. Through a similar door farther along the passage another ghastly »cene presents itßelf m a well-paioted figure representing a Unaaian prisoner fastened to the wall and left to btarve to death; rats are already gnawing the fleah of the unfortunate prisoner, who la apparently In his death agonies. Si 111 farther on is another door, through which is seen a prisoner under torture In the Tower of London. Tte cavern is now really entered, and m a prettilyarranged grotto to tbe right are two figures with arms entwined, females, re presenting youth and love. As the visitor .approaches to tnako n closer fxamination, he troada upon a ip*ing whloh causes the figures to disappear, and give place to two skeletons, still embracing, and exemplifying dooay. Turning ahurply to the left, m a recess, with a cl sed book held m its long hand, sits tho figure of a monk, who is supposed to have periahod during penacce. By a clever mechsmloal arrangement, on the vldtor'a approaoh, the figure raises its hand and opens the bock, wbilo the eyes give forth an eleotrlo fl*sh. Penetrating into the recess of the cavern the • Pirates' Lair ' is approached. A.t first sight all that 1b discernible through the mhty light is a view of tbe sea shore at night, with the moon shining m the distance. A flaih of lightaing iiiuminates tbe cave, revealing the presence of five skeletons m chains, supposed to be the remains of shipwrecked persons who had fallen in.o ihe hands of oruel pirates. The boads and months of the figures move and the eyes emit eparko of electricity. Leaving the ' Pirates' Lair,' and its ghasl'y den'snns, the fairy cavern Is reaohed, This is undoubtedly the prettiest and most effective portion of the whole concern. From the roof depend masaes of tanked weeda, while tho walls and crevices glisten with thousands of sparkling lights, and tho n flections of hundreds of colored hmpa to make up a charming pictaro. Iv this portion of the cavern are several other beautiful pictures which cannot fail to enrapture the visitor. Tbe cavern with its numerous ' mysteries' hes been designed and painted by MrL. Hart, of Londou.