VALPARAISO. 



69 



behind the bay of Valparaiso. As we reached 

 the summit of the range, the sun setting glo- 

 riously in a cloudless sky, was already half 

 immersed in the sea. The rays of light were 

 refracted in such a way as to give it the ap- 

 pearance of a column descending rapidly into 

 the waves. Such a flood of light, combined 

 with variegated colours all over the horizon, I 

 never beheld. The sun set 



*' Not as in northern climes obscurely bright, 

 But one unclouded blaze of living light.'' 



The disappearance of the sun was followed by 

 a cold, piercing wind, which penetrated our 

 thin summer costume, and caused us speedily 

 to retreat; but we were benighted before we 

 could find our way down the intricate paths of 

 the cliff. Valparaiso, with its long street and 

 church steeples, has a pleasing effect from 



VOL. II. D 



