droppings of water, as is pretended by those who go about to explain the formation of congelations in grottoes. It is much more probable that these other congelations we speak of, and which hang downwards or rise out different ways, were produced by one principle, namely, vegetation." The sight of the whole is described, by those who have visited this cavern, as highly imposing. In the middle of the Great Hall, there is a remarkably fine and large stalagmite, more than twenty feet in diameter, and twenty-four feet high, termed the Altar, from the circumstance of the Marquis de Nointel, the ambassador from Louis XIV. to the Sultan, having caused high mass to be celebrated here in the year 1673. The ceremony was attended by five hundred persons; the place was illuminated by a hundred large wax torches; and four hundred lamps burned in the grotto, day and night, for the three days of the Christmas festival. This cavern was known to the ancient Greeks, but seems to have been completely lost sight of till the seventeenth century. THE ANGEL'S STORY. 639 There were sparkling fountains glancing Flowers which, in luxuriant pride, Ever wafted breaths of perfume To the child who stood outside. "He against the gate of iron Pressed his wan and wistful face, Shone with half such wondrous grace. "You were playing in that garden, Throwing blossoms in the air, Laughing when the petals floated Downward on your golden hair; And the fond eyes watching o'er you, And the splendor spread before you, Told a house's hope was there. "Know, dear little one! our Father So the angel ceased, and gently O'er his little burden leant; While the child gazed from the shining, Loving eyes that o'er him bent, To the blooming roses by him, Wondering what their mystery meant. Thus the radiant angel answered, And with tender meaning smiled: "Ere your childlike, loving spirit Sin and the hard world defiled, |