ISLAND OF PAROS. 
there, a Venus; that larger cavity may have 
supplied a mass for a Laocoon ; from this place 
they perhaps removed a soros ; the columns 
taken hence had evidently divided shafts, there 
being no cavity of sufficient length to admit the 
removal of entire pillars" These and similar 
observations continually escaped us : but who 
shall explain the method used by the Antients 
in hewing, with such marvellous precision, and 
with such apparent ease, the interior of this 
quarry, so as neither to leave one casual frac- 
ture, nor anywhere to waste its produce? They 
had very little knowledge of machinery ; but 
human labour was then of little value, and the 
most surprising works may always be referred 
to ages when this was easily obtained. 
We quitted the larger quarry, and visited 
another somewhat less elevated. Here, as if 
the Antients had resolved to mark for posterity 
the scene of their labours, we observed an 
Bas-relief, antient bas-relief upon the rock. It is the same 
which Tournefort describes ' ; although he erred 
in stating the subject of it. It is a more curious 
relic than is commonly supposed. The French 
have twice endeavoured to remove it, by sawing 
the marble behind ; but perceiving that it would 
(1) Voy. du Lev. torn. I. p. 239. i Lyon, 1717. 
