266 NOTES OF A NATURALIST. 



to that of another is that of chanf^ing, so to say, the 

 channel through which thought runs. When they 

 are sufficiently different there is no difficulty in main- 

 taining thought within the assigned channel ; but 

 when the languages, or dialects, are nearly alike, it is 

 much more difficult to maintain the intended course. 

 It seems to me, indeed, that there is a link of associa- 

 tion not only between the idea and the word, but also 

 with the sound of the word. There is comparatively 

 little difficulty in passing from one language to 

 another, though etymologically near akin, when the 

 prevailing sounds are different. Thus, although 

 Portuguese and Spanish are so nearly allied, it is 

 easier to pass from one to the other than from Spanish 

 to Italian, because the phonetic differences are greater 

 in the former case. 



The night passed without disturbance, though I had 

 made all ready in case of being summoned to embark ; 

 but as the arrival' of the steamer was confidently 

 predicted, I completed my arrangements, and removed 

 my luggage to the office of the port captain on the 

 morning of the 14th. The weather was nearly quite 

 dry all day, with a prevailing sharp wind from the 

 south-west, varied by two or three abrupt changes. I 

 did not venture to go into the country, and contented 

 myself with trotting up and down, mainly with the 

 object of keeping myself warm. Evening closed ; but 

 no steamer appeared, and I accepted Dr. Fenton's 

 offer of a sofa in his sitting-room for the night, whereon 

 to await the expected summons. Towards four 

 o'clock I sallied forth, without disturbing the house- 

 hold. Profound silence prevailed throughout the 



