120 ASCENT TO MOUNT HELICON. 
CHAP, honour, by seating himself against his sacks of 
' corn, which often occupy a considerable portion 
of the floor of his cottage : there he remains, 
issuing his orders to his family until the meal is 
over; when he encourages his guests to take 
their rest, by first setting the example, and con- 
signing himself to sleep, without moving from 
the spot where he finished his repast. 
Journey Thc ucxt momiug, December the ninth, we left 
Heucon. Neocorio, and immediately began to ascend 
Mount Helicon in a n.w. direction, above the 
village; passing the ruined chapel before noticed, 
which we believed to be the building where 
Wheler found the inscription relating to Thespia. 
Below us, upon our right hand, there was a 
rivulet, formed by a stream of water falling from 
Helicon, towards the plain of Neocorio, or 
Thespia; and beyond this, upon the opposite 
side of the dingle through which this rivulet fell, 
standing upon an eminence, we saw a village, 
called Panaja\ Our road conducted us along 
the north-east side of the mountain ; and in about 
Monastery au hour wc arrivcd at the little Monastery of St. 
st.Nichoio. Nicholo, within a sheltered recess of Helicon. 
The description of this remarkable scene shall 
( 1 \ Hat ctyta,. 
