MOUNT HELICON. 137 
The Plain of Lebadea appeared through two gaps or CHAP, 
openings of the mountain, bearing n. and by e. and , _ ' , 
E. N. E.; the villages of the Greater and Lesser Mulchy 
being at the foot of Helicon, in this direction; and 
beyond them, in the plain, the village of Topola. 
Our road extended s. e. and x. w. — The 
distance from Neocorio to this spot is reckoned 
a journey of two hours ; and it required almost 
another hour to descend into the deep valley in 
which Sagara is situate. The view of it, from Vaiieyof 
above, somewhat resembles the appearance of 
the remarkable valley of Urseren, or Ursaria, in 
the passage of St. Gothard, in the Alps: but it is 
still more inclosed ; and it is walled in by 
bolder acclivities, being entirely surrounded by 
high rocks, and by the towering summits of 
Helicon. Below is seen a level plain, whose 
woods and corn-fields are almost buried in the 
deep bosom of the mountain. A very steep 
and rugged descent at last conducted us into 
this sequestered vale ; and as we drew near to 
the village of Zagara, here situate, the same 
pleasing notes of shepherds' pipes which we 
had heard at .5*^ Nicholo, with the cheerful noise 
of bells tinkling in the groves, seemed to give 
gladness to the scene, and again to welcome 
our coming. A river, flowing across this valley, 
divides the village into two parts ; one being 
