ASCENT IN A NET. 149 



but two hundred feet perpendicularly above the 

 nearest point of the ground immediately below it. 

 We considered this mode of ascent as impracticable 

 to any but a sailor, and so declined attempting it. 

 They then called to us to wait, and in a few 

 minutes we saw descending from the building 

 above a sort of strong cabbage-net with very 

 large meshes, and capable of holding two persons 

 at a time. The net is spread open upon the 

 ground, and one or two persons sit down upon it 

 cross-legged; the upper meshes of the net are 

 then collected together over his or their heads, 

 and hung on an iron hook attached to the rope. 

 The monks above then turn a capstan, and in 

 two minutes and a half the traveller finds himself 

 in their exalted abode, about one hundred and 

 eighty feet above the level of the ground from 

 which he started. I shall not easily forget the ex- 

 traordinary appearance of S and our servant 



Giovanni, who came down together, their legs 

 hanging out of the net through the very large 

 meshes on opposite sides. They swung about a 

 good deal as they slowly descended, and turned 

 round like a joint of meat roasting over a slow 

 fire. 



