with a staff in his right hand, and in his left a kind of vase. Behind him is another figure, which bears some thing on his head like the tail of a sea-horse, and holds a linen cloth in his right hand. Below are three rows of figures with lifted hands, four in the first, and five in each of the other two rows. Above these are several ornamental ranges of foliage, the lowest of which is intermixed with small lions, and the highest with oxen; and over them is a little winged figure, which holds in his left hand something that resembles a small glass, and makes a signal with his right. These portals are ornamented with several other figures, of which a description might be tedious.

There are two ancient royal tombs near the mountain, one to the north, and the other to the south, both of them hewn out of the rock, and both noble fragments of antiquity. Their fronts are covered with figures and other ornaments; the form of both is nearly the same, and therefore a description of that to the north will be sufficient.

That part of the tomb on which the figures are carved is 40 feet wide, the height is almost equal to the width below, and the rock extends on each side to the distance of 60 paces. Below, a range of four columns support the entablature on their capitals, each of which is composed of the heads of two oxen, as far as the breast, with the fore legs bent on the top of each column. The gate, which is surrounded with ornaments, is placed between two of these columns in the middle, but is at present almost closed up. Above the columns are the cornice and entablature, adorned with eighteen small lions in basrelief, nine on each side, advancing towards the middle, where there is a small ornament resembling a vase. Above the lions are two ranges of figures almost as large as life, fourteen in each range, armed, and lifting up their hands, as if to support the building above them; and on the side is an ornament somewhat in the form of a pillar, with the head of some animal that has only one horn. Above this is another cornice ornamented with leaves. On the left hand, where the wall projects, are three rows of niches one above another, each of them containing two figures armed with lances, and three others on the side armed in the same manner. There are likewise two on the right

side, with their left hands placed on their beards, and the right on their body. On the side of these are three others in the same disposition as those on the other side. At some distance below, and between these figures and an ornament that has some distant resemblance of a round pillar, is another figure on each side, very much impaired. Above, on three steps, stands a figure pointing at something with his right hand, and holding a kind of bow in his left. Before him is an altar, on which an offering is made, from whence the flames are represented ascending. Above this altar appears the moon; and it is said, that there was once a sun behind the figure, but nothing of it is now to be seen. In the middle, and above all this, appears a small mystic figure, that is also to be seen in several parts of the other buildings.

CASCADES, FOUNTAINS, CATARACTS, SPRINGS, &c.

THE FOUNTAIN OF VAUCLUSE.

THIS fountain, one of the most celebrated in Europe, is situated about five miles from Avignon; its waters are sweet and limpid, but it is only accessible by passing over frightful precipices. Its vicinity is covered with beautiful woods, whose cool refreshing shades breathe delicious odours. Near this fountain was the residence of the celebrated Italian poet, Petrarch, whose verses are full of fire and pathos. He sung by turns, his fair mistress, Laura, the fountain of Vaucluse, and his beautiful hermitage. Laura was equally admired for her virtue and ta.ents, as the graces of her person. The name of Petrarch, naturally calls to mind that of Laura, Vaucluse, the sweets of friendship, the pleasures of retirement, and the Muses.

The fountain of Vaucluse flows from a vast cave, at the foot of a rock, of an amazing height, and perpendicular as

a wall. This cavern, where the hand of man never laboured, is 100 feet high, and at least as much in extent; it forms a double cave, the exterior measures 60 feet in height, at the entrance; the interior 30. Here reigns a dread silence, and utter darkness, which inspires involuntary horror. In this second cavern there is a sheet of water, so pure, that we could not find (observes a celebrated traveller) by the light of our torches, the rock along which it passes in the least discoloured.

Some daring persons, in the beginning of the last century, ventured in a small boat to sound this vast gulf; but they were unsuccessful, probably because the strength of the water carried the lead still towards the surface. A few steps from the outward cavern, the fountain finds an extensive issue, whence it rushes with impetuosity over great rocks, forming various cascades, till, meeting no obstacle, it divides gently into two large branches, in the midst of a beautiful country, and at last falls into the Rhone, under the name of the Jorque.

FOUNTAIN AT PEROUL.

THERE is a remarkable fountain at Peroul, near Montpelier, in Languedoc, which boils up furiously in small bubbles. This manifestly proceeds from a vapour breaking out of the earth; for upon digging near it, and pouring water upon the place newly dug, the same bubbling immediately ensues: and in several dry places thereabouts, are found small ventiducts, or spiracles, at which a steam issues forth, strong enough to remove light bodies, such as straws, leaves, or feathers. It is observable, that this vapour does not take fire upon the application of a lighted candle, like the fumes emitted from the boiling spring near Wigan, in Lancashire.

FOUNTAIN AT PLINANIA.

AT Plinania, in the country of the Grisons, is a singular fountain, which bursts from a rock, and falls in natural

cascades into the lake of Como. This spring ebbs and flows thrice every day, with surprising regularity, except in stormy weather. From being almost dry, it gradually rises till it forts a considerable stream, and then as gradually subsides, till the period of its swell returns. Pliny's description of its ebb and flow is written upon the wall of an adjoining apartment.

CURIOUS SPRING, NEAR THE LAKE OF COMO,

In the vicinity of Rosiniere is a curious spring, which rises in the centre of a natural basin, about 12 feet square; the force that acts upon it must be prodigious, for after a shower of rain, it throws up a column of water, as thick as a man's thigh, nearly a foot above its surface. Its temperature is invariable, its surface clear as crystal, and its depth unfathomable. Many persons suppose it to be the end of some subterraneous lake, that has here found an issue for its waters.

BEAUTIFUL CASCADE IN THE GARDENS AT CHATSWORTH.

NEAR the south and south-east sides of the house, are those water-works, which, about sixty years ago, gave the gardens of Chatsworth extraordinary celebrity. The principal of these is a cascade, which consists of a series of steps, extending a considerable distance down a steep hill, crowned at the top by a temple, that is supplied with water from a very capacious reservoir. This fane (says Mr. Warner) should be dedicated to Mercury, the god of deceit, as a piece of roguery is practised upon the incautious stranger within its very sanctuary; from the floor of which a multitude of little fountains spout up, while he is admiring the prospect from the portal, and quickly wet him to the skin. When this cascade is put in motion, the water rushes with prodigious force from the roof and ornaments of the temple, and falling into a basin in front of the build

ing, is thence discharged down the flight of steps. Among the other curiosities of this nature are a triton and some sea-horses, from whose heads small streams issue; a fountain, which throws up water to the height of 90 feet; and a copper tree, representing a decayed willow, from every leaf of which water is made to issue, by the turning of a cock, so as to form an artificial shower.-SMITH'S Wonders

THE FALL OF STAUBBACH.

Ar Lauterbruennen, in Switzerland, is a celebrated torrent, called the Fall of Staubbach, which rolls perpendicularly from so vast a height, as to resolve itself into a fine spray, resembling a cloud of dust, and from this appearance it takes its name which means a spring of dust. The greatest part of the water falls clear over the overhanging mountain during its whole descent; but the remainder dashes, about half way, against a projection of the rock, and flies off with great violence. The perpendicular height is said to be about 930 feet. When the sun shines in an opposite direction, a small rainbow is reflected toward the bottom of the fall, which gradually diminishes as the spectator approaches.

REMARKBALE CASCADES IN SWITZERLAND.

On the west side of a lake near Weddenschweil is a cascade, which, bursting from surrounding trees, falls a few feet on the ridge of rock, and then precipitates itself in mid-air for about 50 feet, without touching the sides of the precipice. The effect is peculiarly striking; nor can a contemplative spectator sufficiently admire the vast amphitheatre of rock, the sun-beams playing on the falling waters, and the noise of the torrent, contrasted with the tranquil beauties of the adjacent lake.

The cascade of Arpenas, in the neighbourhood of Maglaud, rushes from an impending rock, with a fall of 300 feet perpendicular: it is divided into an almost imperceptible spray; and afterwards collecting itself, trickles down