in a clear and continued stream. "The work about the fountain," says Dr. Clarke, "was until lately very ancient, and not long ago there was an antique cistern in front of it; but the present monks, finding the work in a ruined state, undertook to repair it, and thus destroyed much of its original and venerable appearance. In its state of restoration, however, it is not without picturesque beauty; for they have merely erected an arcade of stone, whence the water issues, and this is already adorned by moss and creeping plants. The walks about the fountain, winding into the deep solitude of Helicon, are in the highest degree beautiful. All above is grand and striking, and every declivity of the mountain is covered with luxuriant shrubs, or tenanted by browsing flocks. Higher up the mountain, at the distance of two miles and a half from this grove and from the fountain of Aganippe, was the fountain of Hippocrene, fabled to have sprung from the earth when struck by the hoof of Pegasus."
From the Grove of the Muses, Dr. Clarke descended to the Permessus, and crossing that rivulet, he ascended in a northwest direction towards the higher parts of Helicon. Wherever the surface was laid bare, he found the rocks to consist of primary limestone. By proceeding, with difficulty, along a craggy, narrow path, he reached the heights of Sagara, where he observed part of the ancient paved causeway, which formerly led from Thespiæ to Ascra, and to Lebadea. From this point, which was two hours journey from Neocorio, the whole of Bceotia was seen. The road now extended southeast and northwest, and another hour was necessary to descend into the deep valley in which Sagara is situated. This valley is entirely surrounded by high rocks, and by the towering summits of Helicon. A level plain is seen below, having its woods and corn fields almost buried in the deep bosom of the mountain. A steep and rugged descent now conducted Dr. Clarke to the village of Zagara, which is divided into two parts by a river flowing across this valley, one part of the village being high above the other. The lower part stretches into the level plain; and above the upper part a small white edifice, the monastery of Panaja, appears embosomed among trees. Dr. Clarke has shown, we think, that this village is the Ascra of the ancients, the place of Hesiod's nativity.
After passing Zagara, Dr. Clarke advanced along the boldest rocks, and ascending by a narrow, steep, and stony path, he reached the highest part of this road over Helicon, "commanding a prospect," as he remarks, "which, in the grandeur of its objects, and in all the affecting circumstances of history thereby suggested,