132 ISLAND OF ANTIPAROS. 
CHAP, ventured into this cavern 1 . During Christmas, in 
the year 1673, he caused mass to be celebrated 
in the grotto, at midnight ; remaining here 
three entire days, accompanied by upwards of 
five hundred persons. The cavern was then 
illuminated by four hundred lamps, and one 
hundred large wax flambeaus ; the elevation of 
the host was accompanied by the music of 
trumpets, hautboys, fifes, and violins, as well as 
by the discharge of artillery placed at the 
entrance of the cavern. Two Latin inscriptions 
yet record this subterraneous solemnity, which 
may be considered as ascertaining the epocha 
of the first visit paid to the grotto in modern 
times. In the words which the Ambassador 
caused to be inscribed upon the base of the 
stalagmite which supplied him with an altar for 
the occasion, we have a striking example of the 
Roman-Catholic faith, as to the miraculous 
presence of the MESSIAH in the consecrated 
wafer : 
HIC- IPSE- CHRISTVS 
ADFVIT EJVS NATALI DIE MEDIA NOCTE 
CELEBRATO MDCLXXIII 
(l) " Mousieur le Marquis de Nointel, ayant enteudu dire, qu'it 
y avoit dans 1'autre isle voisine, nommle Jntiparos, une grotte ou 
personne n'osoit entrer, y voulut descendre la veille de Noel. J 
m'offris h. 1'y accompagner," &c. JL'JEtat present de I'Jrchipel, de 
Jlfons. Af.D.L. a Cologne, 1G78. p. 65. Premiere Partie. 
