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CHAPTER XXV. 



AN ENCHANTING SCENE. 



In no other country in the world are such even- 

 ings and and mornings to be seen, while innumerable 

 brilliantly coloured birds, and various species of 

 doves, make the air musical with their joyous hymns 

 of praise to the setting and rising sun. The air at 

 those hours is so clear, bright, and sparkling, as to 

 form a wonderful contrast to the mid-day stillness 

 and heat. Moreover, the scene was so rich and 

 glowing in atmospheric tints, so teeming with un- 

 bounded opulence in all that gives vigour, health, 

 and beauty to animated nature, and inspiration to 

 the higher faculties of man as to make it entrancing. 



When the sun descended and spread over moun- 

 tain top draperies of its glowing light, the valleys 

 became more and more sombre, and the notes of 

 rejoicing that issued from the warblers' throats 

 ceased, as if they had sung their vesper hymn, and 

 were now prepared to seek for rest with the dis- 

 appearance of " the Sun God." 



More lonesome and still became the country as 

 we progressed, our course being frequently through 

 wooded ravines and along watercourses. Innumer- 

 able stars glittered in the sky overhead. Their 



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