158 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
fare, and numerous odd turnings which puzzle the stranger, - 
and render long practice necessary to enable him to find his 
way about the city ; but here the general aspect is brighter - 
and clearer, the pavement better laid, and the houses freshly 
painted, and almost all of them equipped with balconies. In 
the Merchants! Quarter the style of the shops is perfectly 
oriental. "They are long and narrow, and separated from the 
street by the bench or counter, which a customer never 
passes, but across which the goods are shown and sold to hi 
The public promenade or Alameda, is planted with Melia 
Azedarach (Pride of India) Gleditsia and Oleanders. "There 
are also several shrubs of the beautiful Mimosa Farnesiand 
called Carambuco by the Andalusian women, who adorn their 
lovely black tresses with its bunches of yellow and highly 
scented flowers. Hither, in the evening, come all the popu- 
lation of Malaga, to enjoy the refreshing sea-breeze, and to 
meet their acquaintances. The aguadores may be seen in 
directions, lauding their iced-water and Azucarillos, large 
lumps of porous sugar, which are dipped in the cold liquid, 
and eaten before they melt. There the pretty Malaguenas 
appear to the greatest advantage, and prove their right 7 
that character for beauty which is assigned to them preemr 
nently among the fair ones of Spain. It were no easy 
to describe their light and graceful carriage, and the pleas- 
ing contrast presented between their dark uniform costume 
and the sparkling animated countenances of its wearers. 
I cannot but think that such an unobtrusive style of dress! 
far more simple, dignified, and becoming, than the bri n 
colours and variegated materials in which our northern ladies 
take so much delight. | 
I was present, the day after my arrival, at a review of th 
National Guard of Malaga. There might be about a thou 
sand men, well equipped, and. fairly trained ; but I cow 
not behold them without indignation, when, rememberin 
the scandalous poltroonery of their behaviour during the ™ 
surrection, which had taken place the previous year. It was 
under the governorship of Count Donadio, who was 
