cannot be equalled in the whole world. The eye ranges over all the plains of Lebadea, Cheronæa, and Orchomenus, looking down upon the numerous villages now occupying the sites of those and other illustrious cities. From the spot where the spectator is placed, the most amazing undulations of mountain scenery descends in vast waves, like the swelUngs of an ocean, towards Parnassus, whose snowy bosom, dazzling by its brightness, was expanded before us with incomparable grandeur."
After passing another fountain, and travelling a quarter of a mile over an ancient paved way, Dr. Clarke reached a magnificent terrace, elevated as it were above all Greece, and, continuing to descend, the monastery of St. George appeared in view, bearing north and by west. He then arrived at the village of Kotumala, about one and three-fourths hours from Zagara, and commanding the most sublime views. After passing the remains of an aqueduct, and the ruins of a city upon a hill, he reached Panori, two hours distant from Kotumala. He then passed two bridges, and came in sight of Labadea, which will be described under that article.
We have thus given our reader a very brief account of Dr. Clarke's most interesting examination of the antiquities of Mt. Helicon. They will naturally turn to the original work for an ampler account of his journey. The classical reader will find himself inspired at every step, and will share the fine sentiments which the sight of ancient Greece awakened in the first of modern poets:
Where'er we tread, 'tis holy, haunted ground;
No earth of thine is lost in vulgar mould,
But one vast realm of wonder spreads around,
And all the Muse's tales seem truly told,
Till the sense aches with gazing to behold
The scenes our earliest dreams have dwelt upon:
Each hill and dale, each deepening glen and wold,
Defies the power which crushed thy temples gone.
Yet to the remnants of thy splendor past
Shall pilgrims, pensive, but unwearied, throng;
Long shall the voyager, with th' Ionian blast.
Hail the bright clime of battle and of song;
Long shall thine annals and immortal tongue
Fill with thy fame the youth of many a shore:
Blest of the aged! lesson of the young!
Which sages venerate and bards adore.
As Pallas and the Muse unveil their awful lore.
—Childe Harold, Canto II.
