16 TEE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



of wind, while many a snow-clad yacht floated on its 

 clear blue surface. 



The old town, situated along the upper portion of 

 the bay, was quaintness itself more foreign than 

 English and recalled vividly my recollection of Naga- 

 saki, in Japan. But it was not with it the attraction 

 ceased, for such glorious rocks guarded the entrance to 

 the harbour, all honeycombed with the most fantastic 

 nooks and grottoes that human eye hath seldom rested 

 on, while the tendrils of numerous creeping plants 

 waved in festoons over them. Oh ! those lovely para- 

 sites ! fit ornaments are they for such a place ; for 

 assuredly, had Lurline and her nymphs chosen these 

 haunts for their home, they would have woven them 

 into wreaths to adorn their snow-white temples ! 



