2 There antient СНАР. V. of Minyas. Proof of quity of the anti. domes in architec dome has fallen: a single block of marble over this entrance resembles, both as to its size and form, the immense slab covering the portal of the Tomb of Agamemnon at MYCENE. can be no doubt that this ruin corresponds with Treasury the account given by Pausanias of the TREASURY OF MINYAS. Enough yet remains to prove that the covering was a dome; and the description given of it by that author will also confirm this observation. Therefore, those Critics who have disputed the existence of domes in architecture, maintaining that the Tomb of Agamemnon, being constructed by horizontal projections of stone, does not constitute what may properly be considered as a dome, will find a stumbling-block in the Treasury of Minyas. It is true that this building was considered, even by the Antients themselves, as one of the wonders of the world'; equally worthy of admiration with the Walls of Tiryns, and the Pyramids of Egypt". In a different direction from the monastery, very ture. (2) Λίθου μὲν εἴργασται, σχῆμα δὲ περιφερές ἐστιν αὐτῷ, κορυφὴ δὲ οὐκ ἐς ἄγαν ὀξὺ ἀνηγμένη, τὸν δὲ ἀνωτάτω τῶν λίθων φασὶν ἁρμονίαν παντὶ εἶναι τῷ eixodoμńpari. Paus. Boot. c. 38. p. 786. ed. Kuhnii. (3) Ibid. c. 36. p. 783. and in c. 38, he says, encaugès dié Mivvou θαῦμα τῶν ἐν τῇ Ἑλλάδι ἂν καὶ τῶν ἑτέρωθι οὐδενὸς ὕστερον, πεποίηται τρόπον ποιόνδε. (4) Ibid. c. 36. p. 783. CHAP. going towards the east, at a short distance, V. we found a tumulus, with several pieces of marble lying near it; and this may be the Tomb of Minyas also noticed by Pausanias, and remarkably distinguished, in his description of ORCHOMENUS, from the Treasury of that monarch', or we should have considered the latter as being his magnificent sepulchre. Near to this tomb, but a little farther on, are the ruins of a Greek chapel, built with materials that once served to ornament the sepulchre. Here we found part of an inscription, but in too imperfect a state to afford any information. However, as every fragment belonging to a place of such celebrity will be eagerly collected by the learned reader, we shall insert even this relic. It is part of a decree. In the sixth line is δέδοχθη το δαμυ, which is the common Baotian form of dedoxlas τῷ δαμῷ. In the seventh line, τῶν πολιτάων is evident for τῶν πολίτων. In the ninth line, κατασκευάττη is put for κατασκευάζει; the Baotians using re for ζ, as in φραττω for φράζω; and for ε. In the tenth line, ἐν τυ ἱαρυ is properly put for ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ. for, (1) It is after giving a description of the Treasury, that Pausanias adds, Τάφοι δὲ Μινύου τε καὶ ̔Ησιόδου. cap. 38. p.786. 1. ΔΑΜΟΤΟΙΔΑΟΑΡΧΟΝΤΟΣ 2. ΙΑΡΕΙΑΔΔΟΝΤΟΣ 3. ANTIXAPIAAOA.. ANO 4. ΔΩΡΩΔΡΙΟΛΙΣΔΗΜΕΙΛΙΑ 5. ΑΝΤΙΧΑΡΙΔΑΣ ΑΘΑΝΟΔΩΡΩΕΛ 6. ΞΕΔΕΔΟΧΘΗΤΥΔΑΜΥΟΠΩ. ΕΧΩΡ 10. ΕΝΤΥΙΑΡΥΕΙΠΑΡΤΟΛΛΡ.. CHAP. of ORCHо MENUS. Condition of the pre sent inha bitants. There are some remains of the Acropolis of Acropolis ORCHOMENUS: a part of the walls and of the mural turrets are still visible. The village of Screpû consists, besides the monastery, only of a few Greek cottages; but the condition of the peasants is favourable: their bread is good; and their olives afford them a delicious food, whether fresh or salted. It cannot, however, be a healthy place of residence in the summer, because the land is universally swampy, and contains pools of stagnant water. The children Supersti wear small stones about their necks, which are found here, and are superstitiously regarded: certain for their parents would not allow them to be sold, or even taken off to be examined. Of this tion re specting stones. CHAP. V. Return to Lebadéa. nature, perhaps, were the stones mentioned by Pausanias as a principal object of veneration among the Orchomenians, who believed them to have fallen from heaven': unless, indeed, which some are inclined to believe, substances that had really fallen from the atmosphere were preserved in this city, and worshipped by the inhabitants, as at Egos Potamos. That the old superstitions of Greece are by no means altogether eradicated, must be evident to every traveller who visits the country. As we returned in the evening to LEBADEA, the secretary of the Archon, considered a man of education among the Greeks of that city-speaking of the tops of the mountains, and particularly of Parnassus, which he perceived attracted our attention continually towards it—said in Italian, "It is there that the old Gods (antichi Dei) have resided, ever since they were driven from the plains:" and observing that we were amused by his observation, he added, with great seriousness, They did strange things in this country: those old Gods are not fit subjects for laughter." (1) Τὰς μὲν δὴ πέτρας σέβουσί τε μάλιστα, καὶ τῷ ̓Ετεοκλεῖ φασὶν αὐτὰς wiσtiv in Toi oùgavou. Pausan. Baot. c. 38. p. 786. ed. Kuhn. The author sets out for Delphi-View of Parnassus-Cir- N · Cause On the morning of December the fourteenth, we left LEBADEA; and proceeded in a N.w. direc CHAP. Delphi. tion, across an undulating district, towards Journey to PARNASSUS; keeping the road to DELPHI, now |