The Last Man

The Last Man

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Last Man, by Mary Shelley This eBook is for the
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Title: The Last Man
Author: Mary Shelley
Release Date: April 24, 2006 [EBook #18247]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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The Last Man
Mary W. Shelley
First edition. Henry Colburn London 1826

VOL. I.

INTRODUCTION.
I VISITED Naples in the year 1818. On the 8th of December of that year, my companion
and I crossed the Bay, to visit the antiquities which are scattered on the shores of Baiae.
The translucent and shining waters of the calm sea covered fragments of old Roman
villas, which were interlaced by sea-weed, and received diamond tints from the
chequering of the sun-beams; the blue and pellucid element was such as Galatea might
have skimmed in her car of mother of pearl; or Cleopatra, more fitly than the Nile, have
chosen as the path of her magic ship. Though it was winter, the atmosphere seemed more
appropriate to early spring; and its genial warmth contributed to inspire those sensations

of placid delight, which are the portion of every traveller, as he lingers, loath to quit the
tranquil bays and radiant promontories of Baiae.
We visited the so called Elysian Fields and Avernus: and wandered through various
ruined temples, baths, and classic spots; at length we entered the gloomy cavern of the
Cumaean Sibyl. Our Lazzeroni bore flaring torches, which shone red, and almost dusky,
in the murky subterranean passages, whose darkness thirstily surrounding them, seemed
eager to imbibe more and more of the element of light. We passed by a natural archway,
leading to a second gallery, and enquired, if we could not enter there also. The guides
pointed to the reflection of their torches on the water that paved it, leaving us to form our
own conclusion; but adding it was a pity, for it led to the Sibyl's Cave. Our curiosity and
enthusiasm were excited by this circumstance, and we insisted upon attempting the
passage. As is usually the case in the prosecution of such enterprizes, the difficulties
decreased on examination. We found, on each side of the humid pathway, "dry land for
the sole of the foot."
At length we arrived at a large, desert, dark cavern, which the Lazzeroni assured us was
the Sibyl's Cave. We were sufficiently disappointed--Yet we examined it with care, as if
its blank, rocky walls could still bear trace of celestial visitant. On one side was a small
opening. Whither does this lead? we asked: can we enter here?--"Questo poi, no,"--said
the wild looking savage, who held the torch; "you can advance but a short distance, and
nobody visits it."
"Nevertheless, I will try it," said my companion; "it may lead to the real cavern. Shall I
go alone, or will you accompany me?"
I signified my readiness to proceed, but our guides protested against such a measure.
With great volubility, in their native Neapolitan dialect, with which we were not very
familiar, they told us that there were spectres, that the roof would fall in, that it was too
narrow to admit us, that there was a deep hole within, filled with water, and we might be
drowned. My friend shortened the harangue, by taking the man's torch from him; and we
proceeded alone.
The passage, which at first scarcely admitted us, quickly grew narrower and lower; we
were almost bent double; yet still we persisted in making our way through it. At length
we entered a wider space, and the low roof heightened; but, as we congratulated
ourselves on this change, our torch was extinguished by a current of air, and we were left
in utter darkness. The guides bring with them materials for renewing the light, but we had
none--our only resource was to return as we came. We groped round the widened space
to find the entrance, and after a time fancied that we had succeeded. This proved however
to be a second passage, which evidently ascended. It terminated like the former; though
something approaching to a ray, we could not tell whence, shed a very doubtful twilight
in the space. By degrees, our eyes grew somewhat accustomed to this dimness, and we
perceived that there was no direct passage leading us further; but that it was possible to
climb one side of the cavern to a low arch at top, which promised a more easy path, from
whence we now discovered that this light proceeded. With considerable difficulty