tTbe (Sarfcett 



clasped round the pillars, the baleful cypress 

 hung over it ; time seems to have destroyed all 

 the smoothness and regularity of the stone ; two 

 champions with lifted clubs appeared in the act 

 of guarding its access ; dragons and serpents 

 were seen in the most hideous attitudes, to deter 

 the spectator from approaching ; and the per- 

 spective view that lay behind seemed dark and 

 gloomy to the last degree ; the stranger was 

 tempted to enter only from the motto Pervia 

 Virtuti. 



The opposite gate was formed in a very indif- 

 ferent manner ; the architecture was light, ele- 

 gant, and inviting ; flowers hung in wreaths 

 round the pillars ; all was finished in the most 

 exact and masterly manner ; the very stone of 

 which it was built still preserved its polish ; 

 nymphs, wrought by the hand of a master, in 

 the most alluring attitudes, beckoned the stran- 

 ger to approach ; while all that lay behind, as 

 far as the eye could reach, seemed gay, luxuri- 

 ant, and capable of affording endless pleasures. 

 The motto itself contributed to invite him, for 

 over the gate were written these words Facilis 

 Descensus. 



By this time I fancy you begin to perceive 

 that the gloomy gate was designed to represent 

 the road to Virtue ; the opposite, the more 

 agreeable passage to Vice. It is but natural to 



