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been formed by one rock which； leans across another； and each end has
been walled up artificially； so as to form a stone chamber of about
twelve feet in length by seven in width； with a small entrance。
According to the account given by the old monk； this cave was the origin
of the present monastery through the following accident。 Among these
wild mountains； where no dwelling of any kind exists； it has always been
the custom after the melting of the snows in early spring to pasture the
numerous flocks of goats； which are at that season driven up from the
parched herbage of the low country to the fresh herbs of the cooler
altitudes。 Three or four hundred years ago a shepherd； having lost his
goat at night； was surprised at the appearance of a light among the
rocks high up on the mountain； and with superstitious awe he related his
discovery to his fellows。 For some time the mysterious light was
observed nightly； and various conjectures were on foot as to its origin；
but no one dared to venture upon an examination。
At length； the authorities of the Church having been consulted； it was
resolved that a priest should accompany the party of investigation and
the matter should be thoroughly cleared up。
It was a difficult climb to the pathless crags at night； but the light
was glimmering like 〃the star that the wise men saw in the east；〃 and
though occasionally lost at intervals； it guided the party on their way。
Upon arrival at the cave； there was no inhabitant。 A lamp burnt before a
small effigy of the Virgin Mary suspended against the wall of rock； but
no trace of human foot or hand could be discovered。
Such is the legend； and the inexplicable mystery caused much excitement
and agitation in the minds of the Church authorities。 At length it was
determined that； as the apparition of the light was miraculous； it was
incumbent upon the people to erect a monastery upon the site of the
appearance； contiguous to the now sacred cave。
This was an extreme difficulty； as the inclination formed an angle of
about 60 degrees； and the mountain was hard gneiss that could only have
been scarped by expensive blasting。 However； it was hoped that a
blessing would attend the good work； therefore； in spite of all
obstacles； it was commenced； and masons were engaged from the village of
Phyni to arrange a foundation。
There was no water nearer than the torrent in the deep hollow half a
mile below； therefore extreme labour was required in mixing the mortar
for the walls； the jars in which the necessary water was conveyed upon
men's shoulders up the precipitous rocks appeared to be influenced by
some adverse； but unseen； agency； as they constantly slipped from their
hold and broke。 During the night the work which the masons had
accomplished in the day fell down； and was discovered every morning as a
heap of ruin； the building could not proceed。 In this perplexity the
Church was relieved by a supernatural interposition。 Early one morning a
jar of pure water was discovered in the sharp angle of the hollow
between the hills； exactly below the rachkooba； where I am now writing。
It was evident to the priestly mind that an angel had placed this jar of
water to denote the spot where some hidden spring might be developed；
which would be a favourable site for the new monastery。 They dug； and
shortly discovered the expected source。
It was therefore resolved that instead of erecting the monastery close
to the effigy in the cave； where bad luck had hitherto attended their
efforts； it would be more advisable to commence the building upon a
favourable spot； where a level already existed； in the angle between two
mountain slopes within a few yards of the spring； it would be easier to
convey the small effigy to the new building than to erect the monastery
close to the effigy。 Accordingly the work was commenced： the walls no
longer fell during the night； and the unseen agency was evidently
propitious。
Upon completion of the monastery the original effigy was enshrined； and
Trooditissa became famous as a holy site。 Years passed away； and the
reputation of the establishment was enhanced by the arrival of a lady of
high position from Beyrout； together with her husband； as pilgrims to
the now celebrated mountain cave。 The lady was childless； and having
presented a handsome offering； and kissed the rock entrance of the cave；
in addition to the effigy within the monastery； she waited in the
neighbourhood for a certain number of months； at the expiration of which
she gave birth to a son。 The monks claimed this boy as their lawful
prize； and he was brought up as a priest； but there is some discrepancy
in the accounts which I could not well understand； as it appears that
his parents insisted upon his restoration； and that an angelic
interposition at length prevented litigation。 It may be well imagined
that the result of the lady's pilgrimage spread far and wide； the
reputation of the monastery reached its zenith； and all the unfruitful
women flocked to the shrine to kiss the cave and the picture of the
Virgin within the church； at the same time offering a certain sum for
the benefit of the establishment。 The friction of constant and
oft…repeated kissing at length began to tell upon the sacred effigy； and
it became almost worn out； it was therefore determined that a beautiful
silver…gilt Virgin and Child should be supplied by a first…rate artist
which should cover the original relic within。 This was remarkably well
executed by Cornaro； and a small aperture like a keyhole of a door has
been left； which is covered by a slide； this is moved upon one side when
required； and enables the pilgrim to kiss through the hole a piece of
rather brown…looking wood； which is the present exhausted surface of the
effigy。
Although decayed by time and use； the miraculous property remains
unchanged。 This was exhibited a few years ago in a remarkable manner；
where a childless lady had become old in barren expectation； but a visit
to Trooditissa produced the desired result； and conferred much happiness
upon the once despairing wife； who now became a mother。 In addition to a
monetary offering； this lady had presented the Virgin with a handsome
belt with massive silver…gilt buckles； which she had worn during
pregnancy。 This offering is now suspended around the present effigy； and
for a small consideration any lady applicant is allowed to fasten it
round her waist。 The effect is infallible； and quite equals that of the
rock and silver Virgin。 This remarkable inductive power may perhaps be
some day explained by philosophers； but it is now exceedingly dangerous；
and unfortunate results have occurred； when in a sudden impulse of
devotion young maidens have kissed the rock entrance to the cave； or
imprudently pressed their lips upon the sacred effigy。
During my sojourn at Trooditissa no arrivals of despairing wives
occurred； but in the exhausted conditions of the finance throughout the
island； it would have been the height of folly to have desired an
increase of family； and thereby multiply expenses； possibly the
uncertainty respecting the permanence of the English occupation may
deter the ladies；