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 dédozlar 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 or for ζ, as in φραττω for φράζω; and for εl. In the tenth line, ἐν τυ ἱαρυ is properly put for ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ.

(1) It is after giving a description of the Treasury, that Pausanies adds, Τάφοι δὲ Μινύου τε καὶ ̔Ησιόδου. cap.38. p.786.

1. ΔΑΜΟΤΟΙΔΑΟΑΡΧΟΝΤΟΣ

2. ΠΑΡΕΙΑΔΔΟΝΤΟΣ

3. ANTIXAPIAAOA.. ANO

4. ΔΩΡΩΔΡΙΟΛΙΣΔΗΜΕΙΛΙΑ

5. ΑΝΤΙΧΑΡΙΔΑΣΑΘΑΝΟΔΩΡΩΕΛ
6. ΞΕΔΕΔΟΧΘΗΤΥΔΑΜΥΟΠΩ. ΕΧΩΡ
7. ΘΙΤΩΝΠΟΛΙΤΑΩΝΤΥΟΥΘΙΕΣΕ
8. ΧΥΜΕΙΛΙΧΙΥΟΧΛΑΤΙΧΡΕΙΕΙΣΟΗΓ

9. ΤΙΜΥΚΑΤΑΣΚΕΥΑΤΤΗΚΕ. 10. ΕΝΤΥΙΑΡΥΕΙΠΑΡΤΟΛΛΡ.. 11. ΔΟΚΙΕΙΚΑΛΛΙΣΤΟ . ....

CHAP.
V.

of Оксно

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 MINUS mural turrets are still visible. The village of Screpú 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 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

Supersti

tion re

specting

stones.

V.

CHAP. 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 reReturn to turned in the evening to LEBADEA, the secre

Lebadéa.

tary of the Archon, considered a man of edu-
cation 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
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 sub-
jects for laughter."

(1) Τὰς μὲν δὴ πέτρας σέβουσί τε μάλιστα, καὶ τῷ Ετεοκλεῖ φασὶν αὐτὰς Tirii, in coi oùgavov. Pausan. Baot. c. 38. p. 786. ed. Kuhn.

CHAP. VI.

LEBADEA TO DELPHI.

The author sets out for Delphi-View of Parnassus-Cir-
cular Monument-Defile of Schiste-Situation of Crissa
-Castri-Present condition of Delphi-its antiquities
and natural curiosities - Inscriptions at St. Nicholo
Fountain Castalius-Gorgonian Head-Plants-Disco-
very of the Corycian Cave-Eastern Gate of the city-
Gymnasium-Inscriptions there-Stadium-Monastery
of Elias Caverns - Plan of Delphi - Probable Site
of the Temple of Apollo - Other Inscriptions
of the wretched state of Castri-Medals.

Cause

CHAP.
VI.

Ox the morning of December the fourteenth, we left LEBADEA; and proceeded in a N.w. direction, across an undulating district, towards Journey to PARNASSUS; keeping the road to DELPHI, now

Delpht.

VI.

View of

Parnassus.

CHAP. called Castri. After journeying three hours, having passed over a ridge of hills, the antient boundary between PHOсIS and BæоTIA, previous to our descent into a valley reaching quite up to the base of Parnassus, we enjoyed a glorious prospect of this mountain'. Persons who have beheld Snowdon from Anglesea, may have some notion of this prospect, as afforded by a more diminutive object; and as it brought to our recollection the sublime Druidical Chorus of Mason's Charactacus, we were ready at every instant to exclaim, "Hear, thou king of mountains, hear!" It was at this time almost without a cloud; its upmost ridges being white with snow below these, appeared a wide expanse of naked and rugged rocks, exhibiting hues of silvery grey, pcculiar to Parnassus: still lower, towards the base, and in the sheltered recesses of the valley, were trees, dispersed or collected into thickets and tufted groves; presenting altogether such a region of bold and dignified scenery of varied and broken eminences, of wilderness, and woodland, and pasture, as we have seldom seen. Among the thickets we observed the Arbutus, and Myrtle, and Vallonia Oak, flourishing luxuriantly; and we recognised

(1) See the Plate annexed to p. 172 of the Quarto Edition of these Travels; in which the author has vainly endeavoured to represent the appearance of Parnassus.