274 EXCURSION TO MONTSEKRAT. 



lake does not appear to have diminished 

 greatly, according to the information I could 

 glean ; but I am convinced of the practi- 

 cability of draining it, and at no very great 

 expense. Whoever undertakes it, vv^ill be 

 amply recompensed for his pains, as the 

 soil is particularly rich, and there is a ready 

 market for the produce. Whilst lost in such 

 speculative and pleasing ideas, and wrapt 

 up in the magnificent scene before me, 

 much enlivened by a brilliant sun and a 

 fine blue sky, scarcely tinged by a cloud, 

 I was suddenly brought to myself by a very 

 cold and shrill blast of wind, that rushed 

 round the end of the old edifice, from the 

 gulf between this mountain and that of 

 Guadaloupe, in the ravine between which 

 it had been chained, bringing with it 

 a momentary cold damp mist. I looked 

 for my friends, but they had fled : not being 

 so wrapt up in wandering ideas of the fu- 

 ture state of this fine country as myself. 



