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made by the current dividing above into two streams. After we had
gone near an hundred yards, we met with an orifice which easily
admitted us above ground: we had no curiosity to explore any
farther, as the roof was now become only some four feet high, and
not admitting us with ease beyond this aperture. The brook which
runs through this cave is the main stream of the river Greta,
which runs under ground for at last two miles, making its
appearance here, at Weathercoat, and a few other places in its
way down to its open channel. The pools that are formed by the
brook after its exit out of the cave, exhibit a pleasing and
rural scene, being shaded with rocks, weeping willows, and
mountain ash.
Having travelled a mile or two further, and passed through the
little remote village of Winterscales, we came to the natural
curiosity we were in quest of, Greenside-Cave: it is under the
south-east corner of the lofty mountain Whernside. The mouth was
wide and high, and the road rugged; but the roof gradually sunk,
or the bottom arose, till it was troublesome getting along soon
after we were out of the sight of day. A small brook ran along
the bottom, as in the other caves; but there were none of the
curious petrifactions we saw in most of them, to delight the eye.
Churchill's description of the Caledonian cave of Famine, with a
few alterations will convey a just idea of Greenside-Cave.-
This lonely cave (hard tax on Scottish pride!)
Shelter at once for man and beast supply'd.
Their snares without, entangling briers spread,
And thistles arm'd against the' invader's tread:
Here webs were spread of more than common size,
And half-starv'd spiders prey'd on half-starv'd flies.
In quest of food, efts strove in vain to crawl:
Slugs, pinch'd with hunger, smear'd the slimy wall.
The cave around with falling riv'lets rung,
And on the roof unhealthy vapours hung.
Near the mouth of this cave is a thin stratum of coal, not many
inches thick. Some attempts have been made to work it, but
affording so small gains, and the inhabitants being so
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