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few days before......was the idol of my country.

I smiled at the contrast..........and thought only of recommending myself to sleep.

The sun was just dipping in the west.......an almost extinguished glory feebly shot from its departing rays.............. tinging,......with a beautiful glow of softened radiance.......the surrounding atmosphere.

I gazed on its declining splendor...... My sensibility gradually expanded ..... and rapture........created by this sublime contemplation..........again visited my bosom.....a delicious calm succeeded..... and I sank into the arms of sweet repose.

A loud.....reiterated......shouting,..... woke me from a dream, in which I fancied myself sitting by the side of - my beloved Psyche.......I started from my green couch.....and began to listen

from whence the noise proceeded..... but the shrill echo played about the neighbouring rocks.....in such repeated and confused distraction........I could make no discovery.

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The moon had risen while I slept... Its splendor was full and brilliant....... the firmament around displayed a canopy of the clearest azure.....interrupted here, and there, by a transparent cloud, lightly fleeting past.

This was a happy circumstance ;.... and as I was refreshed by rest.....and my curiosity uncommonly excited..... I determined to attempt the summit of the hill.

As I advanced....the noise increased ........It gave new energy to my exertions....and, in despite of every obstacle.......I attained the height.

I could now distinguish the beat of drums and the sound of trumpets ......I looked inquisitively round......

and with infinite surprise......beheld a groupe of young women, who had assembled at this spot to celebrate the frantic festival of Orpheus......an ancient heathen institution........handed down to posterity, in memory the expedition of Bacchus to India.

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To a painter........this would have proved a most interesting encounter; ....the sight of so many lovely females .....with loose disordered hair.....rolling eyes......bloated cheeks.....naked bosoms,.......wild haggard looks...... expressing, by the most licentious attitudes, their wanton gambols......shaking at each other their hideous Thyrsi, entwined with curling serpents....... clashing their sonorous cymbals........ or roaring the most dismal yells.......... would have afforded him an ample field for the gratification of genius ;... but to me,......it was disgusting in the extreme,......and rendered more so by the distorted beauty of the objects.

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I wished to avoid their superstitious

rites.......but was discovered.......and

prevented.

No man had ever been known to

prophane these mysteries by his presence.......My appearance suspended their diabolical ceremonies.......and I was presently surrounded.

I know not what might have been the consequence of this accidental imprudence, if a new event had not diverted their attentions from me, to a more serious adventure.

A band of Sicilian pirates had landed on the coast, at the foot of this mountain, to take in water......Hearing the noise which had aroused me....and judging it might be the Orphean Bacchanals...they determined on plunder.

It is the custom for these women to come richly dressed, to the foot of the mountain.........where they leave their female slaves and their jewels till they return.

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The pirates disposed themselves into two parties..... the one, seized on the slaves and their treasure.....the other, ascended the hill....and with a violent shout.......rushed among the Bacchanals, whom they instantly seized.

These desperadoes were too hardened to be affected by cries or intreaties.....nor did the exposed charms of these beautiful young creatures, relax one muscle on the rigid countenance of villainy.

Little ceremony was adopted...The Sicilians reimbarked with their rich booty.......We were divided among them......Unanimity and good fellowship seemed to prevail among our new masters;.....and they resolved to pass the night in feast and revelry.

Whilst these freebooters were engaged in merriment.....I retired to the extremity of the cabin.....The glass

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