I'K, MALINFERNET. 



the mountains. As we advance, their grouping changes; 

 some vanish, others come into view in an almost end- 

 less succession. And a clear stream tlows through the 

 dale, at one time rushing noisih' along, then gently mur- 

 muring, then forming a boisterous cascade. In certain 

 spots it is (_|nite concealed h\ the green foliage of the 

 trees: in other places it lies open again and brightly 

 mirrors the sk\\ And then these wondrous rocks! Here 

 we seem to see a spire like that of a gothic cathe- 

 dral, adorned with carved flowers and animals and all 

 sorts of arabesques: there again a fort with moat and 

 turrets, or an organ with giant pipes : here a slender 

 column, there an angular cr-s'stal : here again a statue on 

 loft^' pedestal. Is that not the God Osiris enthroned upon 

 these rocks? He bears in his hands, as sceptres, two young 

 Pine trees. ^Vt the entrance of this gorge crouches a Sphinx 

 in readiness to make a spring. And yonder b\' the distant 

 cliff we seem to see a wild hunting scene. The phantom 

 quarr-s' o\'ertops the trees, as if turned to stone in its last 

 struggles. Nature has given free scope to her constructive 

 genius. Her creative forces have run riot. And, as if half 

 ashamed of this exuberance, she has carefully concealed 

 the valley between lofty mountains. In fact the Malinfernet 

 probably remained unknown till Decem'ber 1851, after the 

 napoleonic coup d'etat when political refugees concealed 

 themselves here to escape the pursuit of their enemies. 



CHAI^TER VIL 



Towards evening we again \\'alked out onto the 

 beach of St. Aigulf. We wished once more to behold 



