NORIAS, OR WATER WHEELS. 21 



putref action i but the inust that ran from them was never- 

 theless perfectly sweet. Observing so httle selection in a 

 vineyard where more care was taken than in any other 

 we had seen, and some science really indicated by the 

 proprietor, I concluded that nothing was more common 

 than for the grapes to be in a state of decay when the 

 wine was made. It was evident that if baskets had been 

 employed in which to gather the grapes, a great propor- 

 tion of the j uice would have been lost ; but there was an 

 immense waste of labour in each vintager bringing what 

 he had gathered the whole way to the cellar. If Don 

 Pedro had left roads for a cart, or even paths for a mule 

 through his vineyard, he might have brought his grapes 

 to the press with half the manual labour he now employs. 

 Having an engagement to dine with Don Jacobo Gordon 

 at 3 o'clock, we quitted Don Pedro Domecq's vineyard 

 sooner than I would have wished to part with its intel- 

 ligent proprietor. He is the largest holder of wine in 

 Xeres, and exports more than any other merchant. 



Wednesday, 5th October. — At seven this morning I 

 took leave of my hospitable and very attentive friends at 

 Xeres de la Frontera ; Doctor Wilson having engaged, 

 at the proper season, to procure and send me to London 

 cuttings of all the varieties of vines cultivated in that 

 neighbourhood. I had engaged a calesa — a wretched 

 sort of gig, to convey me to San Lucar, there to join the 

 steam-boat for Seville, this being considered my best route 

 to Malaga, whither I now proposed to make the best of 

 my way. We had only proceeded three or four miles, 

 when one of the wheels became loosened, and the Calesera 

 had no means of repairing the damage, there was nothing 

 therefore for it but to return. Accompanied by Dr. Wil- 

 son, I rode out in a different direction from any we had 



