480 PELOPONNESUS. 
part of the whole is a secret subterraneous 
passage, terminating behind the altar; its 
entrance being at a considerable distance 
towards the right of a person facing the altar ; 
and so cunningly contrived as to have a small 
aperture, easily concealed, and level with the 
surface of the rock. This was barely large 
enough to admit the entrance of a single person; 
who having descended into the narrow passage, 
might creep along until he arrived immediately 
behind the center of the altar; where, being 
hid by some colossal statue or other screen, the 
sound of his voice would produce a most 
imposing effect among the humble votaries 
prostrate beneath, who were listening in silence 
upon the floor of the sanctuary. We amused 
ourselves for a few minutes, by endeavouring to 
mimic the sort of solemn farce acted upon these 
occasions : and as we delivered a mock oracle, 
ore rotundo, from the cavernous throne of the 
altar, a reverberation, caused by the sides of 
the rock, afforded a tolerable specimen of the 
"will of the Gods," as it was formerly made 
known to the credulous votaries of this now- 
forgotten shrine. There were not fewer than 
twenty-five of these juggling places in Pelopon- 
nesus, and as many in the single province of 
Bceotia : and surely it will never again become a 
