Page:A voyage to New Holland - Dampier.djvu/44

8 hath consequently the Benefit of the true Trade-wind, which blows here, and is most commonly fair; so there are seldom wanting, at this Town, brisk, cooling, and refreshing Breezes all the Day.

On the back of the Town there is a large Plain of 3 or 4 Leagues in length and 2 Miles wide, producing a thick kindly sort of Grass, which look'd green and very pleasant when I was there, like our Meadows in England in the Spring. On the East-side of this Plain, very near the back of the Town, there is a natural Lake or Pond of fresh Water. It is about half a Mile in circumference; but being stagnant, 'tis only us'd for Cattle to drink of. In the Winter-time several sorts of wild Fowl resort hither, affording plenty of Game to the Inhabitants of Laguna. This City is called Laguna from hence; for that Word in Spanish signifies a Lake or Pond. The Plain is bounded on the W. the N. W. and the S. W. with high steep Hills; as high above this Plain as this is above the Sea; and 'tis from the foot of one of these Mountains that the Water of the Conduit which supplies the Town, is conveyed over the Plain, in Troughs of Stone rais'd upon Pillars. And, indeed, considering the Situation of the Town, its large Prospect to the East (for from hence you see the Grand Canary) its Gardens, cool Arbors, pleasant Plain, green Fields, the Pond and Aqueduct, and its refreshing Breezes, it is a very delightful Dwelling;