126 



COLOMBIA. 



acquaintance in an hour, than we could have done 

 in a month, in countries farther removed from the 

 sun, and from the disorders of a revolution. 



We were still in good time for making our ob- 

 servations at noon ; but the heat at that hour was 

 intense, for there was not the least breath of wind ; 

 and as soon as the meridian observation was over, 

 we retreated to a thick grove of plantain trees, to 

 make some experiments with the dipping needle. 

 Here, though completely sheltered from the sun, 

 we had a fine view of the river, and the town be- 

 yond it. The stream, which at this place is about 

 two miles broad, flowed majestically along, with a 

 surface perfectly smooth and glassy ; bearing 

 along, on its steaming surface, vast trunks of trees 

 and boughs, and large patches of grass. The 

 town of Guayaquil, viewed through the vapour ex- 

 haled from the river, and the glowing banks, was 

 in a constant tremor — there was no sound heard, 

 except now and then the chirp of a grasshopper, — 

 the birds, which soared sleepily aloft, seemed to 

 have no note — everything, in short, spoke to the 

 senses the language of a hot climate. 



I dined with the author of the foregoing letter. 



