TERCEIRA. 
3 
among the rocks. ’Tis true that now and then a pretty 
town opens to view in the snug shelter of a rounded 
bay, and glimpses are had of vineyards, orchards, 
and gardens, which promise good fare and pleasant 
entertainment; nor, if he tarry, will the stranger find 
himself deceived ; for, within the impregnable coast, 
the inhabitants are as hospitable as the country is 
beautiful and fertile. Terceira, being the principal 
island, has been selected as the subject of this sketch, 
and the description attempted will give a correct idea 
of the others, there being a great similarity in their 
general aspect and productions ; except only Pico, 
which is a monstrous volcanic cone upwards of seven 
thousand feet high. 
I do not think I can better illustrate the scenery, 
or bring more powerful evidence in support of my 
foregoing remarks, than by presenting the reader 
with a few selections from the journal of a friend 
who passed many months among the islands ; and 
the very enthusiastic and poetical manner in which 
he apostrophizes them will evince the justice of my 
eulogiums. He says; “ Nature hath never, in capri- 
cious mood, called into life a brighter cluster than 
these foundlings of sun and ocean. Their magic 
number gives them to the muses, and each would 
furnish classic realm for a daughter of Mnemosyne. 
In triplet groups they spring from the deep sea, and, 
laughing out upon the wide expanse, speak to the 
b 2 
