LEBADEA. 163 
other circumstances of association connected 
with the spot ; since nothing was more common 
among antient nations, particularly in Greece, 
than to erect a vast and complicated system of 
superstition upon the most insignificant founda- 
tion. There was something in the nature of 
the scenery here, which tended to excite the 
solemn impressions that were essential to the 
purposes of priestcraft. The votaries of the 
Oracle were conducted through a Grove* to the 
Hieron: having reached the consecrated pre- 
cincts of the divinity, they could not avoid 
being struck by its gloomy and imposing gran 
deur. It is surrounded with rocks, bare and 
rugged, rising in fearful precipices to a great 
height ; the silence of the place being only 
interrupted by the roaring of waters bursting 
with uncommon force from their cavernous 
abyss. The most sacred part of the Hieron, Recepta- 
contammg the narrow entrance to the Adytum voUve 
and the receptacles for the offerings, is a per- '^'""**" 
pendicular rock of black marble. It faces the 
east. The niches are above the Adytum, to the 
right and left of it: they are of different capa- 
cities and shapes, and amount to twelve in 
number. The most capacious is an entire 
{4) "Evriti vl it»*rt7oi u-!ri^ro aXgasi^ivtuS^ovf Ibid. p.791. 
M 2 
