139 



of the Cordilleras, nor any abode in the tempe- 

 rate vallies of Mexico, have effaced from my mind 

 the powerful impression of the aspect of the 

 cataracts. When I read a description of those 

 places in India, that are embellished by running" 

 waters and a vigorous vegetation, my imagina- 

 tion retraces a sea of foam and palm-trees, the 

 tops of which rise above a stratum of vapour. 

 The majestic scenes of nature, like the sublime 

 works of poetry and the arts, leave remem- 

 brances that are incessantly awakening, and 

 through the whole of life mingle with all our 

 feelings of what is grand and beautiful. 



The calm of the atmosphere, and the tumul- 

 tuous movement of the waters, produce a con- 

 trast peculiar to this zone. Here no breath of 

 wind ever agitates the foliage, no cloud veils the 

 splendour of the azure vault of Heaven ; a great 

 mass of light is diffused in the air, or the earth 

 strewn with plants with glossy leaves, and on 

 the bed of the river, which extends far as the 

 eye can reach. This appearance surprises the 

 traveller born in the north of Europe. The idea 

 of wild scenery, of a torrent rushing from rock 

 to rock, is linked in his imagination with that 

 of a climate, where the noise of the tempest is 

 mingled with the sound of the cataracts ; and 

 where in a gloomy and misty day, sweeping 

 clouds seem to descend into the valley, and rest 

 upon the tops of the pines. The landscape of 



