The Great Hall, Kent's Cavern. Torquay ([1835?])

Croydon, Edward. Guide to watering places on the coast between the Exe and the Dart, including Teignmouth, Dawlish and Torquay. Teignmouth: E. Croydon, 1818. pp. 26-7.The approach to this awful retreat is by a path which winds through a thicket, possessing all those beauties which characterize the scenery of the south of Devon - and calculated by the exhilarating feelings it inspired, to raise the interest and sublimity of the scene we were about to behold. It produced the effect which it is the object of skilful composers of music to accomplish, and assumed that power over the mind which the divine science obtains. - You will readily imagine that the romantic fictions which sported in the luxurious imagination of Ariosto, occurred to my mind, and that I was prepared to admit the idea of enchantment. […]The entrance which is situated to the south, is through a narrow passage, in some parts not five feet in height, and not more than four feet in breadth. The passage gradually widens as you proceed, and takes a north easterly direction 'till you are introduced into a spacious hall, which is between twenty and thirty feet in height and nearly one hundred in breadth. You are here compelled to behold, wonder and admire the majesty of the supreme architect; whose works declare his glory, and display the boundless immensity of his nature. The incrustations which project from the sides and ceiling with all the boldness of natural outline, present objects, which, art vainly attempts to imitate.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Lithograph

124x209mm