Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/98

Rh which are regular by nature, add to the formality, when they are not grouped with some artistic and poetical feeling. In the lovely garden, for instance, of El Conti Hernandinos, it was this feeling which led to the planting of a circle of king-palms. In this way the most beautiful columned rotunda was formed which can be imagined, the crowns being all at the same height, locked their branches into each other, and formed a gigantic verdant garland which waved and rustled in the wind, whilst the blue vault of heaven shone brightly through it.

I have taken a walk every morning into the bishop's garden; but I was one morning persecuted there by a couple of half-naked, horrible-looking negroes, who probably said witty things while they begged, although I did not understand them, and they disturbed my comfort. Another morning I was so very unwell from something which I had taken, though I knew not what, that the joys of Paradise could not have pleased me; a third morning I was free and at peace and again enjoyed life, but not as I did on the first morning. But neither was that needful; I was happy and thankful: one single morning such as that is enough for an immortal memory.

I have, every night again, saluted that large, magnificent constellation above the palm-tree mound, and have seen the quiet, melancholy, clear glance of the morning-star over the earth. These nights, with the roar of the mountain stream and the rustling of the banana-trees, I shall never forget.

This morning Mrs. S. and myself went into the park. I observed some verses in Spanish inscribed upon a bamboo-tree, and asked her to read them to me. She could not do it, because their meaning was of the grossest kind. Again the old serpent!

One sees, in the country around here, small farms, on all of which are houses built of palm-trees, and thatched with tawny palm-leaves; the roofs are all pointed, and