2 THE ADELSBERG GROTTO.
containing some remarkable stalactites and stalac-
mites, assuming curious and fantastic shapes. The
so-called “ curtain,” a white and maize-tinted semitransparent
screen, as of Algerian marble, and
resembling a piece of drapery, is probably the most
beautiful specimen amongst th em ; also a grand
effect is produced by the “ Poik,” or “ Unz,” a
streamlet rapidly and noisily rushing through one
arm of the cave, and forming a lake in its progress.
There is a pretty glimpse from the narrow bridge
which spans the boiling waters below, surrounded by
almost utter darkness, relieved only by the reflection
of lights placed in suitable positions along the entire
length of the cave. In other parts it requires little
imagination to recognize domes and pillars; nay, an
entire cathedral, fully furnished with altar, pulpit,
and aisles; elsewhere, an enormous hall, capable of
holding a couple of thousand persons, on festive
occasions used as a dancing saloon; farther on,
again, tall banyan trees, with roots and branches, in
mid-air, shapes of wild animals, &c. ; the stalactites
varying in height from ten to a hundred feet, and
in colour from white to brown in delicate tints of
pink, pale-blue, and pearl-grey.
Having spent three hours in examining the grotto,
T returned, tolerably tired, to the little inn, “ Die
CASTLE MIRAMAR. 3
Ungarische Krone,” under a drizzling rain, which
somewhat damped my usual good spirits, but I
soon recovered on finding myself discussing a very
homely meal, seasoned by a keen appetite, and an
hour later the Vienna train laboured into the station,
and carried me off to Triest, whence, on the following
morning, I intended to start for Egypt. I had
time, however, to pay an early visit to “ Miramar,”
the pretty marine residence of Maximilian, the late
Emperor of Mexico. I t is a charming abode, built
in the Italian villa style, and surrounded by a
tastefully laid-out garden. The house, from which
there are fine sea and coast views, is filled with
objects of art from the different countries the proprietor
had visited, whilst Admiral in the Austro-
Hungarian service, and amongst them there is a fine
collection from Japan.
The Austrian Lloyd’s steamer, “ Diana,” with very
pleasant company on board, amongst them the late
Madame Miihlbach, a well-known German authoress,
who afterwards published her experience of a visit to
the land of the Pharaohs, landed us at Alexandria on
the fifth day, amongst the usual crowd of Egyptians,
Maltese, and Greeks, each offering his services in his
own tongue, creating quite a Babel. The weather
was magnificent, the air balmy as only known in
B 2