It is not impossible, after this, that a prince of Babylon will make his appearance.

Every year, however, this superstition is wearing out, and probably will soon be forgotten altogether.
The sun shone, and, the day being mild, we lingered for some time amongst these extensive ruins, climbing and exploring and looking down caverns and ravines in the rocks, beneath one of which rolls a dark stream, doubtless the source of those waters which were formerly directed into the arena to serve the Naumachia.

There is something fearful in knowing that beneath your feet, as you wander in these ruined places, exist gulphs of darkness, into which a false step amongst treacherous bushes and weeds might precipitate the unwary.

We were driven from both the beauties and dangers of the spot by the beginning of a shower, and determined on making a retreat to St.Eutrope, whose enormous tower beckoned us from the hill above.

We had not, however, gone many steps when the storm came down with all the impatient fury of _French rain_, and we were glad to take shelter in a wood-shed, at a house which we should have endeavoured to visit had no accident introduced us to its premises.
This house, now entirely modern, belongs to a farmer, and is called _The Coteau_; in the garden is an _oyster bank_ of some extent, which is looked upon as one of several proofs that the sea once bathed the walls of Saintes; and beneath the building is a subterranean range, formerly communicating with the amphitheatre, which is distant the length of several fields from the house.