( m ) 



are crossed by others which lead up the acclivity. It is most ad- 

 mirably supplied with water, which is Conducted into almost every 

 house in a most convenient and pleasant manner. In the streets are 

 many fountains, which, though not to be compared with those of 

 Italy in architectural taste, are well constructed. One cistern in. 

 particular contained water which tasted strongly of sulphate of iron ; 

 the natives consider it serviceable in the cure of cutaneous diseases^ 

 and frequently bathe in it. The town is divided into two parishes^ 

 and contains a population of about twenty thousand inhabitants, of 

 whom there are more whites than blacks. The climate is delightful, 

 and perhaps equal to that of Naples. Though the latitude of the 

 place is only 20** South, yet owing to its elevated site, the tem- 

 perature of the air is generally moderate. The thermometer never 

 exceeds 82° in the shade and is rarely below 48'', but its usual range 

 is from 64° to 80° in summer, and from 48° to 70° in winter. Th6 

 greatest heats prevail in January. Owing to its great elevation 

 various changes from heat to cold prevail in the same day, and there 

 are frequent showers of rain. Thunder-storms are common, but by 

 no means violent. The sun is sometimes clouded by dews and mist 

 so dense as not to subside until the forenoon is far advanced. 



The gardens here are laid out with great taste, and from the pe^ 

 culiarity of their construction present a curious spectacle. As there 

 is scarcely a piece of level ground, even ten yards square, on the 

 whole side of the mountain, the defect has been remedied by 

 cutting spaces one above another at regular distances, and sup- 

 porting them by low walls, the top of one being on a level with 

 base of that next above it. An easy flight of steps leads from one 

 level to the other. These terraces seemed to me to be the very king- 

 dom of Flora, for never did I before see such a profusion of delicate' 

 flowers. Here were also excellent vegetables of every kind, such 

 as artichokes, asparagus, spinach, cabbage, kidney-beans, and po- 

 tatoes. There are many indigenous fruits which might be much 

 improved by a better system of horticulture. The peach appears 



