Page:Travels in Uruguay.pdf/20

Rh though it was equally midwinter in Lisbon as with us in England; and we felt a mild genial tone in the air, such as orange trees rejoice to live in. Although we had gone only 900 miles, it was indispensable to replenish the ship's larder. Bullocks were hoisted on board by their horns, which did not seem to disturb the equilibrium of their minds; for they did not resist the operstion, but took it as a matter of course, merely placing their feet on the deck as they were lowered upon it. Doubtless they trusted to the mens conscia recti of those that performed the operation upon them, as they showed a most philosophic indifference to the whole treatment.

We soon started for the great coaling station of St. Vincent, 1554 miles from Lisbon. After two or three days' further voyage, you get more sociable, and interested in your fellow voyagers. But at times a weariness comes over you, at the repeated sameness of scene and occupation, and from being out of sight of land.

We passed the Canary Islands and Madeira. The weather now began to be more than warm. The awning was spread over the deck every day, after breakfast; and you felt a soft summer air. The tops of the lofty and rocky islands rose above the horizon from vast depths, with a clearly defined and soft outline; and the beautiful sunset reminded you that you had taken leave of English fogs, and were approaching a tropical clime. On rising early the next morning we beheld

ten miles off, rising perpendicularly upwards of 12,000 feet above the sea, equal to the highest points of the Pyrenees, and as high as many of the Alps.