Picturesque Rock 



phisticated inhabitants gathered to looic at the unaccus- 

 tomed sight of foreigners. Our arms, and especially the 

 revolver, astonished and delighted them. " They had heard 

 England was the most wonderful country in the w^orld. In 

 Biscay, indeed, were made arms — terrible weapons ; but 

 nothing so astute as this." They were almost equally 

 astonished at our drawings ; and were altogether charmingly 

 fresh and innocent, after the callous, indifferent folks of the 

 main road. 



On our way down the other side of the rounded hill, 

 after leaving Torre Quebradilla, a bold isolated crag pierced 

 the soil on our right. It was a mere trifle, not more than 

 forty or fifty yards high, but pretty, with much breadth of 

 massive shade, and gracefully plumed with shrubs. 



" How this would draw picnics in a county where rocks 

 are not plentiful ! — say Lincolnshire." 



" Yes, truly, a picnic is a choice thought in this hungry 

 land." 



Here, in the grassy hollow, would be spread 



The snowy cloth — dimpled with various viands. 



Ah ! cleanly damask of our native land ! 



Ah ! pleasant memory of pigeon-pie, 



Short-crusted — savoury-j ellied — floury-yolked ! 



Ah ! fair white-bosomed fowl with tawny tongue 



Well married ! lobster-salad, crisp and cool. 



With polished silver from clean crockery 



Forked up — washed down with drinks that make me now 



Thirsty to think of. 



Yes, with ginger-pop 

 These crags should echo. 



Ah ! rare golden gleam 

 Of sack in silver goblets gilt within ! — 

 Bright evanescent raptures of champagne — 

 Brisk bottled stout in pewters creamy crowned ! 



248 



