40 TOPOGRAPHY 



has been observed in the building of the houses. 

 Most are built in the Spanish, or rather, Moor- 

 ish style, with open courts, or patios, in the centre. 

 A few modern ones are, however, built more in con- 

 formity with English taste. The greater number 

 of houses are built on the hill-side, and are ap- 

 proachable only by immense flights of steps. Several 

 families reside in different small apartments in one 

 house ; often have I seen houses with fifteen or 

 twenty families occupying a space, which, in most 

 places, would be devoted to only half that number of 

 inmates. 



The main street runs from the quay, or Water-port 

 barrier, to the South-port, a distance of about half a 

 mile, having for the most part well-built houses on 

 each side. This street terminates, or rather extends 

 into a road, leading to what is called the South-district, 

 where nearly one-twelfth part of the population of 

 Gibraltar resides. Other roads penetrate to various 

 parts of the rock ; one runs to Europa-flat, for more 

 than two miles, winding round the governor's cottage 

 on the east side of the rock. Bridle-paths are cut 

 out on the highest parts of the rock ; the signal sta- 

 tion, and even the Rock-gun and O'Hara's tower, 

 may be reached on horseback with perfect safety. A 

 winding road, from near the governor's cottage, leads 

 up to the Mediterranean stairs, and it is said that a 

 bold young officer of the garrison rode up to the top 

 of the stairs, an exploit which few would be found 

 willing to attempt. 



Few public buildings in Gibraltar possess any 



