The pillars sustaining the vaulted roofs； whose curves allowed of every style； the massive walls between the passages； the naves themselves in this layer of secondary formation； were posed of sandstone and schistous rocks。 But tightly packed between these useless strata ran valuable veins of coal； as if the black blood of this strange mine had circulated through their tangled work。 These fields extended forty miles north and south； and stretched even under the Caledonian Canal。 The importance of this bed could not be calculated until after soundings； but it would certainly surpass those of Cardiff and Newcastle。
We may add that the working of this mine would be singularly facilitated by the fantastic dispositions of the secondary earths； for by an unaccountable retreat of the mineral matter at the geological epoch； when the mass was solidifying； nature had already multiplied the galleries and tunnels of New Aberfoyle。
Yes； nature alone！ It might at first have been supposed that some works abandoned for centuries had been discovered afresh。 Nothing of the sort。 No one would have deserted such riches。 Human termites had never gnawed away this part of the Scottish subsoil； nature herself had done it all。 But； we repeat； it could be pared to nothing but the celebrated Mammoth caves； which； in an extent of more than twenty miles； contain two hundred and twenty…six avenues； eleven lakes； seven rivers； eight cataracts； thirty…two unfathomable wells； and fifty…seven domes； some of which are more than four hundred and fifty feet in height。 Like these caves； New Aberfoyle was not the work of men； but the work of the Creator。
Such was this new domain； of matchless wealth； the discovery of which belonged entirely to the old overman。 Ten years' sojourn i