244 the mouritain and grottoés, # vision. Dec. 195 
midst of an extensive plain, covered by various na- 
tions of all ages and sexes. 
When my admiration had a little subsided, ‘I per- 
ceived a large grotto with a spacious entry right 
before me. Numbers that ifsued from the great body 
in the middle of the plain, were continually crowd- 
ing inte it, while many ottiers were hurrying out 
of it; with this difference, however, that those wh¢ 
proceeded towards it, ran into pairs of male and fe- 
male, at the entrance, and were to all appearance 
intoxicated with joy. Whereas they who came out 
were always single,-and. were either deprefsed with 
sorrow, or wound up to the most extravagant pitch 
of gladnefs and exultation. 
* This, said my divine tonductrefs, is the grotto of 
Matrimony ; observe it with attention.” As I con- 
templated it, I found its general appearance and form 
infinitely alluring. Its entrance was overfhadow- 
ed with trees full of the most beautiful blofsoms, that 
seemed to promise an abundance of pleasing fruit. 
A number of flowers of the most brilliant colours 
sprung up around. The air was scented with their 
balmy perfume. Upon a closer examination I 
observed among these a good many annual, some 
biennial, and a very few triennial blofoms; but 
hardly any of a longer duration. 
All these, however, had such a fine effets that 
. Ifhould have been tempted to importune the geni- 
us to conduct me thither, had I not observed that 
most of those who advanced to this grotto, were 
-very irregular and tumultuous in their motions, 
