the narrow edge of ridges which are occasionally bounded by abrupt and horrible declivities, sweeping many hundred feet downward to the edge of the river, must then be surmounted. Here accidents are of frequent occurrence; and our caution was increased by the sight of a dying mule which had just before fallen from a higher turn of the road to a lower.
As we continued to climb for nearly two hours, gradually rising one hundred feet after another, we became conscious of a change both in the atmosphere and in the surrounding vegetation. Our view began to expand, and to range over a long chain of gracefully moulded mountains, hemming in the valley of the Cañada towards its source; and when, at length, we emerged upon the summit among scattered groups of evergreen oaks and other forest trees, rising from a fresh greensward, we were conscious that we had quitted the tierras calientes, and had gained the level tierras templadas.
LETTER IV.
It is an advantage to have a mind disposed to enjoyment, and to feel yourself participating in that temper, which extracts pleasing sensations out of every situation. I may without arrogance say, in different degrees, perhaps, and from very different impulses, such was the character of each individual of the trio whose footsteps you have good-humouredly, I doubt not, followed thus far.
We had all, while in the tierras calientes been struck with the peculiar beauties of that region and its wonderful productions; and revelled, with all due temperance I hope, in the many sources of rational enjoyment there laid before us; philosophically enduring, if not scorning those annoyances, to which the climate, country, and the rude state of society, unavoidably exposed the traveller.
