62 HISTORY OF 



green j and all receding in due perspective. 

 They struck us with the more amazement, as we 

 knew them to be the mere productions of nature, 

 who, hitherto in solitude, had, in her playfuf mo- 

 ments, dressed the scene, as if for her own amuse- 

 ment. 



" But we had as yet seen but a few of the 

 wonders of the place ; and were introduced only 

 into the portico of this amazing temple. In one 

 corner of this half-illuminated recess, there ap- 

 peared an opening of about three feet wide, which 

 seemed to lead to a place totally dark, and that 

 one of the natives assured us contained nothing 

 more than a reservoir of water. Upon this we 

 tried, by throwing down some stones, which rum- 

 bling along the sides of the descent for some time, 

 the sound seemed at last quashed in a bed of water. 

 In order, however, to be more certain, we sent in 

 a Levantine mariner, who, by the promise of a 

 good reward, with a flambeau in his hand, ven- 

 tured into this narrow aperture. After continuing 

 within it for about a quarter of an hour, he re- 

 turned, carrying some beautiful pieces of white 

 spar in his hand, which art could neither imitate 

 nor equal. Upon being informed by him that the 

 place was full of these beautiful incrustations, I 

 ventured in once more with him, for about fifty 

 paces, anxiously and cautiously descending by a 

 steep and dangerous way. Finding, however, that 

 we came to a precipice which led into a spacious 

 amphitheatre, if I may so call it, still deeper than 

 any other part, we returned, and being provided 

 with a ladder, flambeaux, and other things to ex- 



