wm 
eh 
296 the mountain and grottoes, a vision. Dec.1g. 
deed I did observe, that almost every one gathered 
more or lefs of them, and that those who supplied 
themselves most plentifully, seemed to turn giddy, 
and were guilty of very ridiculous actions. 
On a still nearer approach, there was about the 
entrance of the grotto, something very pleading, and 
something too that produced in me a kind of dread 
to enter it; and it was, therefore, with ‘no small 
astonifhment that I observed almost all the infinite 
multitude that flocked towards it, not ‘only in a 
state of indifference, but to appearance intoxicated 
with joy. Instead of examining its precincts, o 
making such preparations, and using such precau~ 
tions as might be necefsary to render the journey 
agreeable, the motley crowd seemed attentive only 
to the sound of music, which, in truth, was very 
pleasing, and to which they tripped away in their 
gayest attire. 
Upon a narrower inspection, however, I did per- 
ceive a few solitary pairs, that seemed extremely 
busy in examining the entrance of the- grotto, and. 
in culling various flowers that did not appear to me to 
be conspicuous for beauty ; and I observed that they 
prefsed their juice into phials, with which they ac- 
casionally bathed their foreheads. . 
Wondering what could be the meaning of this, 
I applied to the tutelar genius. ‘* These flowers, 
(said fhe,) though they do not seem so pretty as the 
test, have a much more fragrant smell; and their 
juice, applied in the manner you see, is the best 
/pofsible antidote against all the dangers that are to 
be met with in-the pafsage of the grotto.” * What, 
Siz = 4 
a) 
