LETTER IX. 



Second Ascent of the Peak. 



After having a day's rest, I again set off for the Peak, 

 in order to accomplish my intended observations. The 

 weather was clear and serene, and I commenced my jour- 

 ney under every auspicious omen. I proceeded to Realejo 

 de Abaxo, and shortly after, ascended the mountain of 

 Tygayga, where the botany was exceedingly interesting. 

 Towards evening, I crossed Las Cafiadas, and whh little 

 difficulty, reached La Estancia de los Yngleses at six 

 o'clock, where I met M. DesDreau, of Paris, and his 

 attendants, who was ascending the Peak in order to make 

 some astronomical observations. Here we passed the night 

 in the open air near a large fire which our guides con- 

 structed with branches of the retama. Though in a torrid 

 country, and under the brilliant sky of Africa, we suffered 

 extremely from the cold during the night. At the break 

 of day, we mounted our mules and proceeded with some 

 difficulty as far as Alta Vista, where I learned that M. 

 Despreau had met with a fall and disenabled himself so 

 much, that he was unable to ascend, and had returned to 

 La Estancia. Being excessively fatigued, and affected 

 with nausea, I found it prudent to return also, and defer 

 my journey. At La Estancia, I lay down upon the dry 

 earth, throwing my cloak over me, and enjoyed two or 

 three hours' undisturbed repose, which greatly relieved me 

 from my illness and fatigue. 



Observations. — The upper regions of the sky were 

 perfectly clear ; no wind ; the moon and stars very bril- 

 liant. Mercury and Venus, in particular, appeared 



