^2 The Rock of Gibraltar. 



from the departure and arrival of ships. Although these ob- 

 jects are so attractive and amusing, they are still far surpassed 

 by the views commanded by the station on the southern terrace. 

 We behold the coast of Africa extended before us, from Tan- 

 gier as far as beyond Ceuta. The great transparency of the 

 atmosphere makes the distant objects appear so near to the 

 spectator, that he sees not only the outline and indentures of 

 the mountain range with the greatest exactness, but can even 

 distinguish a part of Ceuta. The observer learns to decide ac- 

 curately, that the mountains at the eastern extremity of the wide 

 inlet behind the. projection of the coast upon which Ceuta is si- 

 tuated, are only apparently continuous with the mountain range 

 which rises behind them ; and is led, from the form of these, to 

 conjecture, that, according to their constitution, they agree with 

 the transition-slate formation which constitutes the fundamental 

 strata of the rock of Gibraltar ; and that they are not composed 

 of the limestone which forms the principal mass of the latter 

 rock. 



The observer, musing on the surrounding phenomena, inquires. 

 What power was it which broke through the mighty opposing 

 rock ? In^what period of the primitive world did the astounding 

 catastrophe take place, which has paved the way for the liveliest 

 intercourse among late generations ? The answer to this and 

 many other questions remains engraven in hieroglyphics upon the 

 pillars of Hercules; and the most ingenious combination of these 

 symbols will permit only a few interpretations to be derived from 

 them with certainty. But the rock, which withstands the shock 

 of the elements, declares, in writing which has no ambiguous 

 meaning, that, with its existence, there are connected a series of 

 the most remarkable events which have taken place at the most 

 different periods, — from the voyages of the Phoenicians, until the 

 * contest against the floating batteries. Thus an exact knowledge 

 of the formation of the southern promontory of Europe would 

 be highly interesting ; and the fact, that there is a firm and in- 

 timate union between the nature of a country and the history 

 of its inhabitants, would give additional countenance to the 

 inquiry. 



