152 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



might look from the tower into the port of Cadiz. The 

 tower is riven, and it may be climbed along the edges 

 of the crack. We got to the top of it; thence de- 

 scended the curious Mediterranean Stair a zigzag, 

 mostly of steps down a steeply falling slope, amid 

 palmetto brush, aloes, and prickly pear. 



Passing over the Windmill Hill, we were joined at 

 the * Governor's Cottage ' by a car, and drove afterwards 

 to the lighthouse at Europa Point. The tower was 

 built, I believe, by Queen Adelaide, and it contains a 

 fine dioptric apparatus of the first order, constructed by 

 Messrs. Chance, of Birmingham. At the appointed 

 hour we were at the Convent. During dinner the same 

 genial traits which appeared in the morning were still 

 more conspicuous. The freshness of the Governor's 

 nature showed itself best when he spoke of his old an- 

 tagonist in arms, Mouravieff. Chivalry in war is con- 

 sistent with its stern prosecution. These two men 

 were chivalrous, and after striking the last blow became 

 friends for ever. Our kind and courteous reception at 

 Gibraltar is a thing to be remembered with pleasure. 



On December 15 we committed ourselves to the 

 Mediterranean. The views of Gibraltar with which we 

 are most acquainted represent it as a huge ridge ; but 

 its aspect, end on, both from the Spanish lines and from 

 the other side, is truly noble. . There is a sloping bank 

 of sand at the back of the rock, which I was disposed 

 to regard simply as the debris of the limestone. I 

 wished to let myself down upon it, but had not the 

 time. My friend Mr. Busk, however, assures me that 

 it is silica, and that the same sand constitutes the ad- 

 jacent neutral ground. There are theories afloat as to 

 its having been blown from Sahara. The Mediterranean 

 throughout this first day, and indeed throughout the 

 entire voyage to Oran, was of a less deep blue than the 



