"He told me, 'We found the ministers of the temple dressed in their pontifical robes. The Hierophant, who, in that moment, represents the author of the universe, had symbols which designated the power supreme. The flambeau-bearer and the assistant to the altar appeared with the attributes of the sun and of the moon; and the sacred herald with those of Mercury. We had just taken our seats when the herald exclaimed: 'Away from here ye profane and impious men, and all those whose souls are contaminated with crimes!' The penalty of death was decreed against those who had the temerity of remaining in the temple without being entitled to it, after this admonition. The second of the priests ordered that the skins of the victims be spread beneath our feet; and he purified us anew. The rituals of initiation were loudly read, and hymns in the honor of Ceres were sung. "Soon after a roar was heard. The earth seemed to shake. Amid lightning and thunder phantoms and spectres were seen roaming in darkness. They filled the holy hall with soul-rending groans and howlings. Sufferings, cares, diseases, poverty, and death, under hideous forms, struck our gaze. The Hierophant explained these various emblems, and his vivid pictures added to our terror. However, guided by a feeble light, we were advancing towards the regions of the Tartarus, where the souls get purified before they reach the abode of bliss. Amidst sorrowful voices we heard the bitter regrets of those who had committed suicide. They are punished, the Hierophant said, because they have deserted the posts assigned to them by the gods. "He had scarcely pronounced these words, when brass gates were thrown open before us with a frightful roar, and then we saw the horrors of the Tartarus. It resounded with the rattle of chains, and the yells of its unfortunate inmates. Learn from us, did they say, to respect the gods, and to be just and grateful. We saw the furies, armed with whips, unmercifully torturing the criminals. These frightening pictures, made more so by the sonorous and imposing voice of the Hierophant, who seemed to exercise the ministry of divine vengeance, filled our soul with terror. In fine, we were introduced in delightful thickets; in enameled meadows; fortunate abodes, image of the Elysean fields, where a pure light shone, where charming voices were heard. We passed into the sanctuary, where we saw the statue of the goddess resplendent with brightness, and dressed in the richest attire. In this sanctuary our trials ended; there our eyes saw, and our ears heard, what we are forbidden to reveal. I will simply confess that in the delirium of a holy joy we sung hymns of joy.'