Addison, Joseph: Remarks on several parts of Italy: &c. in the years 1701, 1702, 1703 (London: Tonson, 1718)

171 Antiquities and Curiofities
amazing Height, Subterraneous Build-
ings for the Reception of Rain and
Snow-Water, are moil of ’em at pre-
sent out of Fassiion, and only to be met
with among the Antiquities of Italy.
We are therefore immediately surpriz’d
when we see any considerable Sums laid
out in any thing of this Nature, tho’
at the same time there is many a Gothic
Cathedral in England, that has cost
more Pains and Mony than several of
these celebrated Works. Among the
Ruins of the old Heathen Temples they
show’d me what they call the Chamber
of Venus, which stands a little behiiid
her Temple. It is wholly dark, and has
several Figures on the Cieling wrought
in Stucco, thatseem to represent Lust ahd
Strength by the Emblems of naked fy-
piteri and Gladiators, ’Tritons and Cen-
taurs, &c. so that one would guess it
has formerly been the Scene of many
lewd Mysteries. On the other side of
Naples are the Catacombs. These must
have been full of Stench and Loathsom-
ness, if the dead Bodies that lay in ’em
were left to rot in open Nitches, as an
Eminent Author of our own Country
Tmagine’s. But upon examining ’em I
sind they were each of ’em stop’d up:
without