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CHAPTER XL.

DESCRIPTION OF A MARRIAGE-FEAST AT GEORGIA, IN ASIA, FROM CHARDIN'S TRAVELS.

1. The nuptial feast was celebrated upon a terrace of the palace, surrounded with estrades, which are beds of state, about six feet in depth, and elevated about two feet above the floor. The terrace was covered with a large pavilion, fixed upon five pillars, twenty feet high. The lining was of cloth of gold and silver, velvet and painted cloth, so neatly and artificially intermixed, that by the light of the tapers, it appeared like a wainscot of flowers and moresco work.

2. In the midst of this room of state, stood a jet, or fountain of water. The floor was covered with handsome carpets, and forty branches of lights illuminated the room. The four branches which hung nearest the prince, were of gold; the rest were of silver. Each branch supported a bowl of pure tallow, which supplied two matches, which gave a great light.

3. The guests were seated on the estrades. The prince in the center had an estrade somewhat higher than the others, and covered with a canopy. His sons and brothers were on his right hand; the bishops on his left, and the bridegroom was seated between them. The music stood at the lower end.

4. Soon after the guests were seated, the bridegroom was introduced by the patriarch, and was saluted first by the prince's relations, and afterwards by other guests, who successively paid him their compliments. Then some presents were made, consisting of gold, silver, and small cups.

5. After this ceremony, the guests took their seats and were served with supper. Before each one was spread a table-cloth, as large as the estrades; then bread was served of three kinds: one as thin as a wafer; another of the thickness of the finger; and the third was sweetened with sugar.

6. The meat was served in large covered silver dishes, each weighing, with the cover, four or five hundred ounces. These dishes were set upon a table at the entrance of the room; then certain attendants placed them before the carvers, who sent pieces of the meat to each guest in plates, beginning first with the princes.

7. The feast consisted of three courses, each containing sixty of the large dishes. The first course consisted of boiled rice, and meat of three different colors. The yellow, was boiled with sugar, cinnamon and saffron,-the red, with the juice of pomegranates,-but the white, or natural color, was the best. 8. The second course consisted of meats baked, stewed and fricasseed; with a variety of ragouts. The third course con

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sisted of roasted meats. To all which were added, fish, eggs and sallads, for the ecclesiastics. The feast was conducted without the least noise, and with perfect order; every attendant performing his duty without uttering a word.

9. The cupboard contained a hundred and twenty drinkingvessels, consisting of bowls, cups, horns, flagons and jugs. Some were of polished gold, others of enameled gold, others of silver, or set with precious stones. The horns were those of the rhinoceros or of deer, elegantly formed and embellished. After the third course, eight bowls were filled, and presented to the four persons nearest to the prince, four on each side. They rose when they drank,-those on the right hand first drank a health, being pledged by those on the left, then the others on the left, then the same eight bowls were filled for the next eight guests, and in their order the whole company was served.

CHAPTER XLI.

AN ACCOUNT OF A FAMOUS GROTTO IN THE ISLE OF ANTIPAROS, IN THE EGEAN SEA.-BY AN

ITALIAN TRAVELER.

1. Having been informed, that in the isle of Antiparos, about two miles from Paros, a gigantic statue is to be seen at the mouth of a cavern, it was resolved that we should pay it a visit. In pursuance of this resolve, we landed on the isle, and after walking about four miles, over beautiful plains and sloping woodlands, we came to a little hill, on the side of which yawned a most horrid cavern, which, with its gloom, first struck us with terror, and almost repressed curiosity.

2. Recovering from the first surprise, however, we entered boldly, and had not proceeded above twenty paces, when the supposed statue of the giant presented itself to our view. We quickly perceived, that what the ignorant natives had been terrified at as a giant, was nothing more than a sparry concretion, formed by the water dropping from the roof of the cave, and by degrees hardening into a figure, that their fears had formed into a monster.

3. Incited by this extraordinary appearance, we were induced to proceed still further, in quest of new adventures in this subterraneous cavity. As we proceeded, new wonders offered themselves; the spars formed into trees and shrubs, presented a kind of grove of petrifaction; some white, some green, and all receding in due perspective. These struck us with the more amazement, as we knew them to be mere productions of nature, who had, in her playful moments, dressed the solitary scene, as if for her own amusement.

4. But we had as yet seen a few only of the wonders of the place; being introduced only into the portico of this amazing temple. In one corner of this half-illuminated recess, there appeared an opening of about three feet wide, which seemed to lead to a place totally dark, and one of the natives assured us it contained nothing more than a reservoir of water. Upon this we made an experiment, by throwing down some stones, which, rumbling down the sides of the descent for some time, the sound seemed at last quashed in a bed of water. In order, however, to be more certain, we sent in a Levantine mariner, who, by the promise of a good reward, with a flambeau in his hand, ventured into this narrow aperture.

5. In about fifteen minutes, he returned, bringing some beautiful pieces of white spar, which art could neither imitate nor equal. Upon being informed by him that the place was full of these beautiful incrustations, I ventured to accompany the mariner into the opening, about fifty paces, anxiously and cautiously descending by a steep and dangerous way.

6. Finding however that we came to a precipice, which led into a spacious amphitheater, if I may so call it, still deeper than any other part, we returned, and being furnished with a ladder, flambeaux, and other things to expedite our descent, our whole company, man by man, ventured into the same opening, and descending one after another, we at last saw ourselves all together in the most magnificent part of the cavern.

7. Our candles being now all lighted, and the whole place completely illuminated, never could the eye be presented with a more splendid scene. The roof was all hung with glittering icicles, transparent as glass, yet solid as marble. The eye could scarce reach the lofty and noble ceiling; the sides were regularly formed with spars; and the whole represented a magnificent theater illuminated with an immense profusion of lights. 8. The floor consisted of solid marble; and in several places, magnificent columns, thrones, altars and other objects appeared, as if nature had intended to mock the curiosities of art. Our voices, upon speaking or singing, were redoubled to a thundering loudness; and upon the firing of a gun, the noise and reverberations were almost deafening.

9. In the midst of this grand and picturesque scenery, rose a concretion of about fifteen feet high, which in some measure resembled an altar; from which taking a hint, we caused mass to be celebrated. The beautiful columns that shot up round the altar, appeared like candlesticks; and many other natural objects represented the customary ornaments of this sacrament.

10. Below this spacious grotto, there seemed another cavern, down which I ventured with my guide, and descended by means of a rope, about fifty paces. Here I found a small spot of level

earth, consisting of soft clay, yielding to pressure, and in which I thrust a stick to about the depth of six feet. In this, however, as in the apartment above, were formed numbers of the most elegant crystals, one of which resembled a table.

11. Upon our leaving this cavern, we discovered an inscription in Greek, upon a rock at the mouth, but so far obliterated by time, as not to be legible. It seemed to import that one Antipater, in the time of Alexander, had visited this place; but whether he had penetrated into the depth of the cavern, we could not collect from the inscription.

CHAPTER XLII.

EXTRAORDINARY BELLS IN RUSSIA.

1. The Russians have a great fondness for bells of an enormous size, and distinguish the sanctity of different days, by the different peals, or manner of ringing them. These bells are hung in belfrys detached from the churches; and do not swing like our bells, but are fixed immovably to beams, and rung by a rope tied to the clapper, and pulled sideways.

2. One of these bells, in the tower of St. John's church, weighs one hundred and twenty-seven thousand pounds, or more than sixty-three tons. It is deemed a meritorious act of religion, to present a church with a bell, and the piety of the donor is estimated by the size of the present.

3. The emperor Boris gave to the cathedral of Moscow, a bell weighing two hundred and eighty-eight thousand pounds, or a hundred and forty-four tons. The empress Ann, determining not to be surpassed in this kind of piety, procured a bell to be cast, which weighed four hundred and thirty-two thousand pounds, or two hundred and sixteen tons.

4. This bell was nineteen feet long, and its circumference at the large end, twenty-one yards and eleven inches. Its greatest thickness was twenty-three inches. The beam supporting this enormous bell, being burnt by accident, it fell, and a fragment was broken out, which left an aperture sufficiently large to admit two men abreast, without stooping.

CHAPTER XLIII.

THE VILLA OF PRINCE ZARTORISKI, IN POLAND, FROM COXE'S TRAVELS.

1. The villa of prince Zartoriski is about three miles from Warsaw, in the midst of a forest. The situation is almost a level, with here and there a gentle slope, which affords an agreeable variety. A river runs through the grounds, which

are laid out in the English manner, with a beautiful intermixture of lawn and wood. Walks are cut through the wood, and carried along the side of the water.

2. The house, which stands upon a gentle rise, has the appearance of a cottage, constructed like those of the peasants, with trunks of trees piled upon each other, and thatched with straw. Besides the principal building, occupied by the prince and princess, there are separate cottages for the children and attendants, each of which has its inclosures and small garden. The whole group appears like a village of scattered huts.

3. Other buildings, such as summer-houses, pavilions, and rustic sheds, are dispersed over the grounds, and the stables are constructed in the form of a half-demolished amphitheater. Several romantic bridges, rudely composed of the trunks and bent branches of trees, contribute to diversify the rustic scenery.

4. Upon our arrival, we repaired to the principal cottage, where the princess was ready to receive us. We expected to find the inside furnished in the simple style of a peasant's hovel; but were surprised to see every species of elegant magnificence which riches and taste could collect.

5. All the apartments are decorated in the most costly manner; but the splendor of the bath-room was peculiarly striking. The sides are covered from top to bottom, with small square pieces of the finest Dresden china, each ornamented with an elegant sprig, and the border and ceiling are painted with beautiful festoons.

6. After we had surveyed all the apartments, we proceeded to an inclosure near the house, surrounded with large blocks of granite, heaped one upon another, and fallen trees, placed in the most natural and picturesque shapes. From thence we repaired to the several cottages occupied by the children, each of which is fitted up in a different style, but all with equal elegance,― the whole exhibiting a striking contrast of simplicity and magnificence.

7. We next walked round the gardens, which are handsomely laid out. We then repaired to a Turkish tent, of rich and curious workmanship, pitched in a beautiful retired field, near the stables. This tent belonged to the grand vizier, and was taken in the late war between the Russians and Turks. Under it was a settee, and a carpet spread upon the ground.

8. Here we staid conversing until the dusk of the evening, when the princess led us through the house to a small spot of rising ground, where we were suddenly struck with a most splendid illumination. A rustic bridge, consisting of a single arch over a broad piece of water, was studded with several thousand lamps of different colors.

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