220 M. Marsollier's Description, %c. 



Four men were not able to grasp them. Their height could 

 not be estimated, but we supposed they touched the roof. 



This chamber is as large as the half of Ganges. Our eyes 

 were able neither to measure the height nor the depth of it. 

 We perceived cavities which human industry could not make 

 us penetrate. Seated upon this altar, we were surrounded 

 with such a prodigious quantity of objects, that we were lost 

 in mute admiration. Among others was an obelisk, as high 

 as a church, terminated with a spire. It was perfectly round, 

 and of a reddish colour, chiseled throughout the whole of its 

 height, and in the most exact proportion. We saw, also, 

 masses as large as churches, sometimes in the form of cas- 

 cades, sometimes resembling clouds. In other places were 

 seen columns broken in all directions, and covered with rami- 

 fications of enamel % cauliflowers, muslins, and every species 

 of the most singular and varied combinations. 



One of the wonders of this grotto is, a colossal statue placed 

 upon a pedestal, and representing a woman holding two in- 

 fants. This statue would be worthy of the greatest Sovereign 

 of Europe, if it could be removed without losing that form 

 which we have so distinctly observed it to possess. 



In every part of the grotto are seen fringes, curtains, coats of 

 enamel and crystals, laces and ribbons, so delicately arranged, 

 that it was necessary to prove that man had never penetrat- 

 ed these regions, before one could believe that they were not 

 the work of the most skilful artist. 



This chamber is round, and may be compared to a Basilica 

 surrounded with chapels more or less elevated. In the mid- 

 dle there rises a dome, which we conjecture to be about 300 

 feet high. The description of the grotto of Antiparos, which 

 was believed to be fabulous in M. de Tournefort, and which 

 appears from the travels of M. le Comte de Gouffier not to 

 have been exaggerated, is a feeble image of the grotto of 

 Ganges. 



