POTANICAL INFORMATION. 407 
gulph of Valencia, with Cape Oropesa to the north, and Cape 
St. Vincent to the south; the point of the latter, owing to 
dts great distance, seemed as if detached from the land and 
forming an islet at some distance out to sea. The coast-line, 
between these two capes, appeared to consist of irregular 
chains of rather low mountains, and the land was covered 
with the brightest verdure, and studded with clumps of trees ; 
every moment of our approach to shore, revealing some new 
charm and proclaiming the beauty of the kingdom of Valen- 
cia, long celebrated by poets and travellers as an earthly para- 
dise. Hardly had we arrived before Grao, the Port of Valencia, 
than we were hailed by the boat belonging to the French 
brig on the station, which was sent to warn us to be on our 
guard and only to land with great caution, as the country was 
in the utmost disorder from the approach of the Carlist 
troops, who, but the preceding evening, had come up to the 
very gates of Grao. "The inhabitants could not venture to 
pass the nights, except on board some small ships. It was 
unpleasant enough to land in such a scene of confusion, but 
there was no help for it, as the “ Phocion" was to start the same 
evening on her return to France. A swarm of porters and 
lartaneros, (the latter drive a sort of cart) was awaiting our 
arrival at the jetty to wrangle for our custom, which they did 
With an asperity that reminded me of the Neapolitans, though 
the countenances of the people of Valencia were still more 
fierce and resolute. The custom-house was in operation, but 
its functionaries were too mortally afraid of the Carlists, to de- 
tain us long; for, not daring to pass the night at Grao, they 
always retired early every evening to Valencia. This capital 
is but a short league distant from the sea, and the road: was 
luckily open, the Carlists entertaining a very misplaced fear of 
being cut off by sallies from the city, if they advanced too far 
in this direction, The distance is performed in tartanes, 
small two-wheeled vehicles, not hung on any kind of springs, 
hollowed below, and resembling a little omnibus; the driver 
sits with his legs hanging over a plank at the side. Never 
was I so fearfully jumbled in my whole life, my breath was 
