16 



MADEIRA. 



succession of growling, whining, champing 

 with his jaws, scratching, and, as he scratched, 

 thumping the floor with his heavy hinder 

 feet. I watched with sleepless and feverish 

 impatience the approach of day, and hastened 

 at the first dawn to rescue myself from my 

 companions of the night. Peace be to the 

 house of the consul ! I shall never disturb it 

 again at midnight. 



12th. — To-day, the party from the North 

 Star were invited to meet us, and proceed to 

 Mr. Phelps's country-house, up the mountain. 

 We rode upon little rough-shod horses, and 

 spent the day at his quinta. The view from it 

 is delightful. Situated in the midst of woods, 

 vineyards, and gardens, it looks down on the 

 blue bay beneath, which is studded with ships. 

 Our descent was annoying, from the steepness, 

 and the slippery stones with which the road is 



