LEBADEA. 161 
is troubled, and muddy; tlie secondy clear, 
and much better fitted for use. The Jirst is 
evidently the gushing forth of some river, 
^rom a subterraneous channel, that had been 
previously exposed to the surface ; having been 
swallowed up, during its course, in some 
chasm of the earth. This appears, both from 
the substances found floating in the water, and 
from its perturbed muddy aspect. We observed 
at this principal source an antique terra-cotta 
cylinder, for compressing the current within a 
narrower channel : it was fixed into the rock 
with cement and tiles. That this was the 
source called Lethe, must be evident; because 
the other, being close to the throne of Mnemo- 
syne, as will presently appear, was necessarily 
the Water of Memory : and perhaps the origin of 
the name of the IValcr of Oblivion, and the 
superstition thereon founded, may be deduced 
from this singular circumstance of its re- 
appearance after being once buried ; receiving a 
new birth after its resurrection, oblivious, as it 
were, of its former course. The Antients could 
not have been ignorant of this part of its his- 
tory, because it is obvious to all who examine 
the water. JVheler, when he had seen the 
force with which it gushes forth, and examined 
VOL. VII. M 
