323 
so faithfully handed down, forbids mc to reject this 
idea. 
When I consider the situation of this edifice, I am 
surprised that no traveller has given an historical or phi- 
losophical account, of it. Mr. Kooke himself, who had 
exercised his imagination upon these spots surrounded 
by so many antiquities, could give me no idea of this 
building, which overlooks the whole island, and more 
particularly Cythera and Idalia. Tradition relates, 
that in ancient times they ascended in chariots. Cythera 
and Idalia are the two nearest places, where water could 
have been found in sufficient quantities to have enabled 
the powerful mistress of this palace to make use of them 
for her gardens. Then, if this mistress was ! 
Yes, you guess it reader; a true Venus, or one of the 
types of the Venus of the poets If other tra- 
vellers have visited these ruins, and have given a better 
founded explanation, do not let me know it, do not de- 
stroy my charming illusions of having inhabited during 
a moment the abode of the graces, and having entered 
the loftiest and the most secret recess of the goddess of 
love. Without doubt, when she wished to dispense 
her favours to mortals, she descended to receive their 
incense in Cythera and Idalia; from whence she with- 
drew to enjoy the company of the gods in her celestial 
abode above the clouds. Ah, Rooke! I am like you, 
led away by imagination. 
In short, in comparing the form, the position, and 
the antiquity of this edifice,* with tradition and fable, 
* It appears that the few travellers who speak of these ruins, 
examined them only at a distance; they have contemplated them 
in the same point of view as the monks. (Note of the Editor.) 
