CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. f)l 



5. The Lake Avernus. 



A SHADY walk conducted me, between Monte Nuovo and a 

 thicket of reeds, to the banks of Avernus. This lake is circular, 

 and hemmed in by an amphitheatre of hills on every side, except 

 the break by which I approach it ; distinctive marks of a volcanic 

 crater. 



The landscape, though confined, is extremely pleasing ; the dark- 

 blue surface of these unruffled waters, said to be three hundred and 

 sixty feet deep, strongly reflects the tapering groves that cover its 

 sloping inclosnre : shoals of wild fowl swim about, and kingsfishers 

 shootalong under the banks ; a large octagon temple in ruins advances 

 majestically to the brink ; its marble ornaments have long been re- 

 moved, but its form and size still render it a noble object. It was, 

 probably, dedicated to the infernal gods, to whose worship these 

 solemn scenes were formerly consecrated. Black aged groves 

 stretched their boughs over the watery abyss, and with impenetra. 

 ble foliage excluded almost every ray of wholesome light; mephitic 

 vapours from the hot bowels of the earth, being denied free passage 

 to the upper atmosphere, floated along the surface in poisonous 

 mists. These circumstances produced horrors fit for such gloomy 

 deities ; a colony of Cimmerians, as well suited to the rites as the 

 place itself, cut dwellings in the bosom of the surrounding hills, and 

 officiated as priests of Tartarus. Superstition, always delighting in 

 dark ideas, early and eagerly seized upon this spot, and hither she 

 led her trembling votaries to celebrate her dismal orgies ; here she 

 evoked the manes of departed heroes here she offered sacrifices to 

 the gods of hell, and attempted to dive into the secrets of futurity. 

 Poets enlarged upon the popular theme, and painted its awful scenery 

 with the strongest colours of their art. Homer brings Ulysses to 

 Avernus, as to the mouth of the infernal abodes ; and in imitation 

 of the Grecian bard, Virgil conducts his hero to the same ground. 

 The holiness of these shades remained unimpeached for many ages: 

 Hannibal marched his army to offer incense at this altar ; but, I 

 believe, he was led to this act of devotion ruuier by the hopes of 

 surprizing the garrison of Puteoli, than by his piety. 



After a long reign of undisturbed gloom and celebrity, a sudden 

 glare of light was let-in upon Avernus : the horrors were dispelled, 

 and with them vanished the sancity of the lake ; the axe of Agrippa 

 brought its forest to the ground, disturbed its sleepy waters with 



