dreadful convulsion. This part is inac cessible. The north side is likewise a lofty precipice; its summit appears to project over its base, adjoining which is an extensive level or sand, which connects Gibraltar with the interior of Spain. The whole of this part of the rock is surprisingly fortified, having port-holes excavated, whereby heavy pieces of cannon are mounted within the solid rock, covered similar to those in a ship. At or near the termination of one of these rows of ordnance is a spacious hall, where a party of thirty or forty may dine without inconvenience. These batteries command the whole of the neutral ground, or that part which connects Gibraltar with the Spanish main land. The west side, on which is the town and other buildings, and the principal cultivation being in several parts well laid out in gardens, &c. is by far the most delightful part of Gibraltar. Without the town, to the north, is the old har-bour or port, which is the best anchorage; adjoining this mole commence those fortifications, the principal of which was rendered so effectual in repulsing and destroy

ing the floating batteries during the last siege. From the south port to the new mole is a pleasant road; behind this mole and the arsenal are spacious barracks and hospital, which make a handsome appearance: from hence to the southermost part, called Europa Point, are various other buildings, with several gardens. The top of this interesting rock is divided into three hills, and is very barren: upon these hills are erected watch and signal-towers. When the day is clear, the spectator is presented with one of the grandest views imagination can well conceive. The mountain of Abyla, capped with snow, the pleasing verdure on its base, a large extent of the African coast, with prodigious ridges of mountains, the handsome appearance of Ceuta, and adjacent country, the streights, with the shipping, the fine bay of Gibraltar, the towns of Algizirias, and the beautiful spot of the orange-grove, St. Roche, on a pleasing eminence, and the vast mountains behind it, the town, and public buildings of Gib raltar, with the grateful verdure around, interspersed with trees, and pleasant and

safe walks contrasted with the precipices and ruggedness on which the spectator stands, which in many places is undermined by subterraneous caverns and avenues, and by a turn of the body, the vast prospect to the eastward, with a delightful country, highly ornamented with cottages and vineyards, and an extensive view of the Mediterranean Sea, these, and many other objects included in the view, present the astonished spectator with something of the magnificence, sublimity, and beauty of nature, and the heart tuned to gratitude, will exclaim with the psalmist, Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man, that thou visitest him."

The caverns alluded to above, are remarkably curious and interesting, especially that of St. Michael's, a short description of which must suffice at present. This singu lar and extraordinary phenomenon is situated in the western side of Gibraltar rock. The entrance is small, being about the size of a common arched door-way; this contraction heightens the effect of the interior,

for on leaving the threshold, the visitor is surrounded with petrefactions, pourtraying such variegated scenery, and forming to the mind such a wonderful assemblage of statues, labyrinths, animals, and buildings, which, connected with the solemn gloom, stillness, murmurings, and droppings of the petrefying waters, and the impending roof, with the avenues in various directions, arrest every lighter power of the mind, and force the most thoughtless to consider.

I shall conclude this account of Gibraltar with a sketch of a dreadful storm which happened while we were there. It began. with light winds, attended with thick and gloomy vapours, which entirely eclipsed those interesting scenes we had hitherto been admiring; suddenly followed by rain, which admitted but of few intervals for the space of a week; it often poured down upon us as in torrents, and the winds so increased, that the intervals between the torrents of rain, the storm raged in all its majestic fury. The whole fleets in the bay were suddenly in motion, and the sound of

alarm and distress were reiterated in every direction. The active mariner, with his usual courage and agility, mounted the tackling, and laboured manfully to ease the towering masts; every power of the body and mind were called forth into exertion, to provide and prepare against the fearful storm; but alas! what are the puny efforts of mortals, even of the wisest and best, without the blessing of Divine Providence to render those exertions effectual, and preserve the weather-beaten mariner in the midst, and bring him through all the dangers of the otherways irresistible elements; for several of the ships being forced to sea, were precipitated into still greater danger than those at anchor; and during this first dreadful night, one of the finest ships in his Majesty's navy was literally dashed to pieces on the tremendous rocks of the opposite shore of Africa, and near four hundred valuable seamen perished. The remainder that were forced out of the bay were all preserved, and returned to harbour soon after. Many and dreadful were the dangers that several in the bay were exposed to; our case was