A Guide Manual to the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky
Louisville, KY: Bradley & Gilbert, 1860.
First Edition. Pamphlet, 4.25" x 6.25", pp. v-vi; 7-61. Library stamp on title page, number stamped on pg. v, small ink stain to bottom margin, otherwise clean, with minor handling wear. A handy little guidebook designed to acquaint the general reader with the history and geology of the cave "together with a brief description of all the rooms, avenues, domes, rivers, etc. that are worth the trouble of exploring." Also includes brief bios of the main cave guides and notes on the Cave Band (who, "by study and long practice have adapted their music to different avenues of the Cave"), and proper attire for visitors, upon which he has very definite aesthetic opinions: "The Bloomer or Turkish dress is the proper costume for a lady. It may be plain, or fancifully trimmed, to suit the wearer. When trimmed in lively colors, which is always advisable, the effect is beautiful, particularly if the party be large....Every lady carries a lamp, and in no case, except that of illness, should she take a gentleman's arm. It is fatiguing to both parties, and exceedingly awkward in appearance." This was the second of two guides to the cave by Wright, both of which are now quite scarce.
Item #14056
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