14 
NOVEL SCENE. 
different trees whicli clothe their sides with verdure 
are midistinguishable in the distance, and only serve 
to lend a beauty to their bases, while fleecy clouds 
are sailing round their summits tinged here and 
there with the hues of the setting sun. 
As we drew near to our j)lace of anchorage, boats 
laden with oranges came out to- meet us, and as 
they approached near the ship were regarded with 
interest by many a longing eye. The first person 
who came on board, and greeted us on our arrival, 
was the officer of health, a rather self-important 
looking personage ; and soon after him ariived 
several other officials. The scene was at once novel 
and exciting, as H.M.S. “Actmon” came to an 
anchor just opposite the city of San Sebastian. 
The soul -stirring tune of the Brazilian anthem 
was playing on board the flag-ship, and we were 
surrounded by vessels of all nations ; by gaily- 
painted passage-boats, by native canoes, by smart 
little sailing craft, and by Brazilian men-of-war's 
boats, the crews of which jumped up upon the 
thwarts at every stroke of the oar. 
