Editor:

In reference to Barry's gem on the "place downstairs" ("A Brief History of Hell," Dec. 13): There seem to be more art masterpieces depicting Satan's world than the holy place above. Maybe art curators or critics can set me straight on that trivia. A good glimpse of the universe below might be viewed from the Kilauea volcanic fields on Hawai'i or Yellowstone. Barry mentioned a hot spot on New Zealand to me. Lechugilla Cave in New Mexico, although cooler and dripping CaCO3, can get totally dark -- eternal leaky faucets can drive one mad.

David Ammerman, Cutten