said to be well fortified, as the works have in many places been permitted to fall into. decay. Its chief defence consists in three forts, two of which cover the principal, landing-place at the south end of the town, and are strongly garrisoned: the other, situated at the northern extremity, appears of minor importance, and is less attended to. An old wall and rampart, nearly in a ruinous state, extends along the front of the town, ill calculated in its present condition, to afford protection, and without a gun mounted on any part.

The monasteries and convents partake principally of the Moorish style of architecture, and chiefly consist of a lofty and ornamental white front, terminating in the centre in a curved line pediment, containing some emblematical religious device; a square tower at either side, with circularheaded windows, black quoins, cornices, belting courses, &c., and surmounted by Turkish or Arabic turrets. The rear presents nothing more than a plain building of rough masonry.

The Jesuits' college was originally a fine

and graceful structure, but now partly in a state of dilapidation; such parts as still remain habitable have been converted into government offices and king's stores. This building is situated on an eminence, towards the north end of the town, and has an imposing appearance.

During our perambulations through this little city, the only interruption to the placid stillness of the evening was the tinkling of guitars, which proceeded from almost every house, and appeared to be the general pastime of the inhabitants. After night-fall the Portuguese seldom go abroad; the few we met were wrapped up in large blue cloaks; and walking with an air of the most solemn gravity. About ten o'clock we returned on board, but early on the ensuing morning again proceeded on shore. This being market-day, the peasantry were crowding in from all parts of the island with various articles of provision, consisting of butter, eggs, poultry, &c., which were to be had remarkably cheap. The men exhibited much the appearance of the hardy mountaineer, inured

to the fatigues of toilsome and laborious industry. Cleanliness, good order, and contentment seemed to characterize the women, whose peculiarity of dress, healthy appearance, and apparent artlessness of manners, give them an air of the most interesting rustic simplicity.

I was informed that the inhabitants of Fayal, and the Azores in general, enjoy a life of the most social and domestic happiness, and are far superior both in elegance of manners and liberality of sentiment to the generality of Portuguese resident on the Continent of Europe. On proceeding a short distance into the interior, the scenery fully justified my prepossession on landing. The luxuriant evergreen Faya (from which the island is said to have derived its name) grows unheeded in almost every direction. The gardens possess a combined assemblage of Tropical and European trees; that of the American Consul (Mr. Dabney) was a perfect little paradise, presenting the interesting novelty of the orange and banana, flourishing in the same soil, beside

the apple and other fruits of common English growth. The different compartments were enclosed by hedges of geranium bearing a full-blown scarlet blossom, in appearance particularly rich and beautiful.

An intimation from Captain Walker, that the vessel was ready for sea, precluded the possibility of extending our excursion so far into the island as we had intended, and with much regret we were compelled to return on board.

Through the zealous attention of the British Consul (Mr. Parkins) who procured for us during that day every necessary we stood in need of, the Hornby was, by five o'clock in the afternoon, cleared out, and once more ready to proceed on her voyage. About six we weighed anchor and steered a N. E. course, close by the west point of the island of Saint George's, next morning observed Gracioza, bearing E. and by N., and at eleven o'clock passed within four miles of it. Its general appearance was rather barren, presenting a brown turflike soil, and much covered with heather;

towards the S. W. end the shore bluff and rocky,against which the sea beats with much violence and breaks to an immense height; the interior of the island is mountainous. The wind continued favourable until the sixth of June, when it shifted round to the N. E., and sent us considerably out of our course to the westward. The wind still continuing adverse, we on the tenth tacked, and stood in for the Bay of Biscay, when it became variable, and gradually veering round to the N. W. we were obliged to continue beating about, occasionally trying for soundings; our longitude, from the rapid currents, baffling winds, &c., was uncertain, but we supposed ourselves in the long. of Ushant. On Saturday the thirteenth we got soundings in 80 fathoms, and next day at noon discovered Ushant, bearing E. and by N. distant about five leagues. The wind still becoming more favourable, we, at 5 P.M., cleared Ushant, stood up Channel with a fine breeze, and late on the following day (16th June) arrived in Portsmouth harbour. We