310 STRAITS OF THERMOPYLiE. 
CHAP. SO narrow a passage, any remarkable circum- 
VIII. 1 o ^ 
- stance related formerly should be irreconcile- 
able with its present appearance. Indeed, some 
of the most trivial facts, casually, dropped by 
historians, guide us to particular parts of the 
defile where the events took place. For ex- 
ample, it is mentioned by Herodotus, that the 
Spartan soldiers, upon the occasion alluded to, 
were found '' combing their hair\'' Whoever 
has seen the inhabitants of the country thus 
occupied, must have observed that this opera- 
tion of cleansing the hair is also accompanied 
by ablution, and that it takes place, of course, 
by the side of some fountain. The mere cir- 
cumstance of being stationed near to ?i fountain, 
often suggests to the persons so situate the 
propriety of this duty. Observing therefore 
the little change that has taken place in Greece, 
in any of the customs among its inhabitants, 
relating to their way of life, it might be ex- 
pected that 2i fountain still exists, denoting the 
spot where the Spartans were seen upon this 
occasion. Whether the probability be admitted 
or not, the sequel will shew that this is really 
the truth. 
(1) Touy Ss Tui xifict; Krtyi^o/iivov;. Herodoti Hist. lib. vii. c. 20S 
p. 449. ed. GroHOv. 
