( ^47 ) 
places where the holes were raade^ and little Mo- 
numents erefted over thd holes themfelves, to which 
the name of Putei is concinud to this day. 
This is the true notion of the PHi^imli^ holes dug 
perpendicularly in the ground to throw Bodies indifFe- 
rendy and without any decency in ^ and according to 
tlie argument this ought to be the conduft of the An- 
cient Romans:, with relpefl: to their Slaves, as implying 
fimplicity and the care to avoid a greater expence 5 but 
then what s all this to the Galleries and Chambers of 
the Catacombs, where decency and diftinftion of qua- 
lity is nicely obferv'd ^ and that, it they were look'd 
after, and kept in better repair,- would be \\^thcut di- 
fpute the nobleft Burying-place this day in the worlds 
As often as they fall under my confideration, I cannot 
forbear thinking they were made for this end by the 
ancient Romans, and made in confequence of thefetwo 
ancient opinions, that the fhadows hate the light, and 
love to hover about the place where the Bodies are 
laid, they appear fo eafy and decent a refting place for 
the one, without the leaft fear of being ever diftarb'dy 
and at the fame time there is provided a noble and a 
vaft convenience full of variety for the others, to (pace 
themfelves freely and with pleafure in. 
I think 'twill not be deny'd, that laying up the Bo-- 
dies in Caves was the original way of difpofing of the 
dead 5 this was that of the Ph£nuians, and as they^ 
were the men tli^t with their Colonies peopled the 
Weftern parts of the World, 'tis more than probable 
they carry'd it along with them whither foever they 
went. Afterwards, as men grew greatand powerful, 
they erefted noble and magnificent monuments for 
themfelves above ground 5 at length others of inferiour 
degree imitated them, all leaving room enough and ex-^ 
eluding the light : but then interring as we do now in 
the open air, or in Temples, was never the manner 
