button to main menu  Otley's Guide 1823 (8th edn 1849)

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Page 206:-
narrows for about six yards, where there is an iron grating and a gate, kept constantly locked, save for the ingress and egress of visitors. To describe the interior of this cave is impossible - no language can convey an idea of its beauties - and the journey through it is so free from danger, that little children may go to the end of it with impunity. For the first 200 yards, the roof gradually lowers, from about fifteen to five feet. The surface is groined and crossed like elaborate gothic work, but the petrifactions are mostly of a dusky hue, though of every variety of form and size. This portion is called the 'Old Cave.' It was only in 1837 or 1838 that access was gained to the 'New Cave,' by letting off the water. Now, however, it is a stupendous cavern, said to be a 1000 yards in length, forming a succession of chambers, lobbies, &c., adorned with stalactites and stalagmites of infinite variety, single and grouped. A small stream of water flows through it, which tends to keep the air in agitation, and a path has been raised the whole way, so that visitors may walk through perfectly dry. The utmost care is very properly taken to prevent visitors from injuring the petrifactions, which have been and are forming the most beautiful natural curiosity that can possibly be conceived. A little farther up the glen is 'Crow Gill,' a crevice in the mountain, similar to Easgill Kirk.
  Settle
  Ebbing and Flowing Well

SETTLE may be approached by two routes, each of which is interesting. The first is by the common road, including Buckhaw Brow, and the Ebbing and Flowing Well: of which Barnaby sang -
Ibi vena prope viae
Fluit, refluit, nocte, die;
Newque norunt unde vena,
An a sale vel arena.
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gazetteer links
button -- "Ingleborough Cave" -- Ingleborough Cave
button -- Settle
button -- "Ebbing and Flowing Well" -- (well, Giggleswick Scar)

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