SUNSET FROM THE SUMMIT OF THE PEAK. 293 



is a capital institution. Some people say they 

 don't care for the eating and drinking, but only 

 for the society. I don't believe them, nor do I 

 admire mock-modest appetites in company. I hold 

 with Sancho Panza, " that a man with his belly 

 full can govern a very large island." Manuel, 

 our guide, was quite of my opinion, for he thus 

 expressed himself: '^ Las tripas esten llenas, que 

 ellas llevan a los piernas.''^ We had plenty, and 

 to spare, for all our party, and wished Old Baron 

 Humboldt had made one of our number, for, by his 

 account, he did not appear to have had a very 

 happy time of it whilst in these regions. 



Being restored to our pristine vigour, we brought 

 our wine and grog to the brink of the crater, 

 where we made ourselves comfortable, lighting our 

 weeds, and enjoying the otium aim dignitate. 



The evening was beautifully clear, and we had a 

 glorious bird's-eye view of the whole island, which, 

 notwithstanding its barren and black aspect from 

 the sea, from this point appeared covered with 

 verdure and vegetation, except in the immediate 



* " Let the bowels be full, for it is they that carry the legs." 



