278 the mountain and grottoes, a vision. Dec. 196 
Sire to penetrate these cavities, than they were for- 
saken ; and then, indeed, they rufhed in with teme- 
rity; though I often found that they separated, each 
party taking a different cell ; andit sometimes happen- 
ed that one of the parties, generally of the male sex, 
did not imitate the example of the other, but conti- 
nued motionlefs, and seemingly overwhelmed with 
grief. I perceived that those of the female sex who 
hurried away in this manner, had generally wan 
complexions, tawdry habits, and. difhevelled hair ;- 
and their giddy. motions bespoke an plentiful supply 
of the intoxicating flowers. 
Turning now to my left hand, I observed a troop. . 
of sprightly young damsels, supporting each a feeble 
old man, near the entrance of the grotto,-not a- 
single Cupid ever fluttering around them; and they 
were hardly entered when the ladies for the most: 
part, made.the best of their way,to the cells of Dif- 
sipation, Extravaganee, Gaming, and some others ; 
while their companions, worn out with infirmities, 
soon fell on the trap doors, and disappeared. This 
the ladies no sooner learned but they instantly 
rufbed out of the grotto. Some were met at the 
entrance by several handsome young fellows, who 
seemed to have been, waiting for them, and with 
these they returned in the highest exultation. 
I observed great numbers of both sexes carrying 
fhining bags upon their fhonlders ; but found, in ge- 
netal, that the little Cupids had a rooted aversion at 
these kinds of burdens, and almost always avoided 
those who, bore them. When any whose fhoulders were 
laden in this manner, happened to stumble on a trap 
