3S4 TRAVELS ffl 
linuaijy furround and follow us over the burning 
defart ridges and plains, and here are in fome hopes 
of momentary peace and quietnefs, under cover 
of the cool humid groves, we are furprized and 
quickly invelled with dark clouds of thefe perfe- 
cuting demons, befides mufquitoes and gnats (cu- 
lex et cynips). 
The next day being in like manner oppreifed and 
harrafled by the flinging flies and heats : we halted 
at noon, being unable longer to fupport ourfelves 
under fuch grievances, even in our prefent fituation 
charming to the fenfes } on the acclivity of a high 
fwelling ridge planted with open airy groves of the 
fuperb terebinthine Pines, glittering rills playing 
beneath, and pellucid brooks meandering through 
an expanfive green favanna, their banks orna- 
mented with coppices of blooming aromatic fhrubs 
and plants perfuming the air. The meridian heats 
iufl allayed, the fun is veiled in a dark cloud, rifmg 
North-Weil: ward ; the air (till, gloomv and fultry ; 
the animal fpirits fink under the conflict and we 
fall into a kind of mortal torpor rather than re- 
frefhing repofe ; and ftartled or terrified at each 
others plaintive murmurs and groans. Now the 
earth trembles under the peals of iriceflant diftant 
thunder, the hurricane comes on roaring, and £ 
am mocked again to life : I raife my head and rub 
open my eyes, pained v/ith gleams and flames of 
lightning ; when juft attempting to wake my af- 
flicted brethren and companions, a! moil over- 
whelmed with floods of rain, the dark cloud opens 
over my head, developing a vafl river of the ethe- 
rial fire ; I am inflantiy flruck dumb, inactive and 
benumbed ; at length the pulfe of life begins to 
vibrate, the animal fpirits begin to exert their 
powers, and I am by degrees revived. 
In 
