SCENERY. 139 



blossoms, and charmed the eye, (fatigued by con- 

 tinually gazing on the green foliage without 

 variety, although it gratified no other sense. 



A pleasant evening drive, or promenade, is 

 obtained upon the winding road leading to the 

 Government-hill, which passes close by what 

 was formerly, and even still retains the name 

 of, the Botanic or Experimental Garden. Many 

 of the hedges on this road are formed by an 

 elegant small leaved bamboo, with its pendent 

 branches drooping in graceful tufts, the tree 

 itself not attaining the elevation usual with other 

 more useful but less ornamental species : this 

 bamboo forms a very beautiful, as well as com- 

 pact fence. On attaining the gentle and gra- 

 dual rise of the hill, the view that expands itself 

 is both extensive and grand ; embracing a wide 

 portion of this splendid island, and causing feel- 

 ings of regret in the mind of the spectator, that 

 so much fertile land should be permitted to lie 

 waste. Turning our eyes in another direction 

 from the gloomy mass of forest scenery and un- 

 dulating land, extending to the horizon, a more 

 animated and pleasing scene is sjDread before us. 

 Neat white houses and elegant mansions are seen 

 on the open plain, or peeping above the dense 

 vegetation when constructed upon a gentle rising 

 hill. As far as the eye can reach over the tranquil 



