Americans are not so particular as the English." We visited the cathedral, which is of immense size; but not particularly interesting. Malaga is noted for the equable temperature of its climate, which is very advantageous to some invalids. The Red Rose was anchored two miles from shore, and we had much difficulty in reaching it, from the strength of the winds and waves. The gale increased as night drew on, and reached its height as we passed Cape de Gatt. Not unfrequently there are squalls off this headland, so that sailors have a rhyme : "As you pass Cape de Gatt, You must take care of your hat." The waves dashed over the stern of the vessel, and for a time we were in as great a storm as we had experienced in the Atlantic, but it was of shorter duration, and the next morning, (Thursday, April 29th) we landed at Carbonares. to see the mines there. When we arrived at the village, the whole population came out to look at us. We started for the mines, a few miles distant, on mules in single file; mine was the last of the cavalcade, and had a particular objection to being struck from behind, but from its position was the very one to receive a rough donkey boy's 'salutation. Immediately it kicked up, and almost sent me over its head, which was the signal for an outburst of laughter from all the little boys of the town, who were following us. In about an hour we reached the mines, where the lodes and veins of the minerals crop out on the surface. There were numerous evidences of former workings. Although the most easily-wrought minerals had been removed long ago, still we found adventurous Englishmen employing the local population, and devoting their energy, and risking their capital in working the remainder. Before leaving the village we partook of the miners' simple fare, some very good rather darkcoloured bread, only partly made of wheat, with some sausage so strongly prepared with garlic that the smallest shred was all that could be eaten. We also tasted their wine. It was rather like vinegar and water. Since we left home we have not seen any one in the least intoxicated; in fact there is nothing in the taste to tempt any one to take too much of the common wines in ordinary use. The sign hung out to denote wine is sold, is a bush, hence the saying "Good wine needs no bush." We then started on our mules to regain the shore, when mine, while it was trotting, had another blow, which made it kick up so vigorously that it fell on its knees and nose, the saddle slipped, while I went flying on to my feet over its head, to the great amusement of all beholders. In the afternoon, we called at Garrucha, a small town on the coast, four or five miles from which is a mountain of iron, and there are also numerous lead mines in the district around. We then pro ceeded on our way to Carthagena. Friday Morning, April 30th. CARTHAGENA.-We arrived here this morning, and after lunch went ashore and found the town, a busy thriving place, without a beggar! Carthagena has figured in history of late, as it was here that Amadeus, second son of Victor Emmanuel, King of Italy, landed in December, 1870, after he had been elected King of Spain, by a large majority of the Cortes. When he landed, instead of General Prim being here to welcome his arrival as arranged, he found he had just been assassinated at Madrid. We know the sequel: Amadeus at length found his position untenable and resigned, and returned to Italy in 1873-when after a short interval, the present King Alfonso entered Madrid in 1875, and ascended the throne of his ancestors, as Alfonso XII. We saw evidences of recent damage done to some of the fortifications, and were told in explanation, that during the civil war a few years ago, Carthagena was infected with communism, and when half the garrison withI drew to fight the Carlists, it was suggested by the townspeople that the forts and fortifications should be guarded alternate fortnights by volunteers from the town, and the G 54 IRRIGATION A PRIMARY NECESSITY. regular military; but when the first fortnight of the volunteers' occupation terminated, they declined to vacate—when an insurrection ensued. Fresh troops were, however, sent for, when the Carlist governor of one of the forts, having been bribed, gave up his fort: the others then gave up theirs, and the insurrection speedily collapsed. There are more than 100 mines in the neighbourhood, of different minerals. Our Admiral remarked that the Spanish government had always shewn wisdom and moderation in their mining laws, so that the minerals were worked to the great advantage of the nation. Saturday, 1 May. As we look from the yacht this morning at the hills surrounding the bay and harbour, we see that they present an appearance of almost utter sterility and barrenness, with scarcely any cultivated ground. Irrigation is a primary necessity. Wherever water can be obtained the ground is so fertile, the weather so fine, and the sun so powerful, that almost any crop may be grown. It is said that enough rain falls in Spain, to irrigate all the low lands of the country, if proper means were taken to store it for use. If this were done with a proper system of iron pipes for distribution, most profitable results might accrue both to those benefiting from the supply and to the capitalists constructing the necessary water-works. This would, of course, necessitate equitable terms being first agreed for dividing the profits; also, in all probability, application to the Spanish Cortes for legal enactments to bind everyone benefiting to unite. In the course of conversation to-day a discussion arose upon the subject of female beauty-Is it on the wane in Spain? Mr. Shaw, nineteen years of age, was appealed to, when it became like the game of twenty questions. Are the daughters of Eve in Spain still beautiful and attractive as ever? Yes. And particularly in the south? Yes. And especially at Cordova? Yes. This led to the critic advising him not to think of matrimony for years to come, with various other suggestions for his welfare, which Mr. Shaw acknowledged, and said that if Mr. Markham had been his own father he could not have given him more excellent paternal advice, which he should long remember. After dinner we parted from Mr. Shaw with mutual good wishes, when the engines were started, and we steamed out of the harbour for Gibraltar. We are Sunday, 2 May. We are on our way to Tarshish, when we see first one, and then another large whale, swimming along close to the surface, every now and then sending up a column of spray. I wonder none of us thought of Jonah. We had not much sun this morning, but now it is shining with its full power. opposite Algiers, where it is said some people have already begun to "take the shine" out of the sun. By the use of large mirrors and lenses the heat is concentrated, and made use of to fuse alum, prepare benzoin acid, sublimate sulphur, carbonize wood, and do other work, such as pump water, &c. ; but the use of the sun's rays for manufacturing purposes is something left for future generations to perfect. It was a splendid afternoon, with bright sun, fair breeze, and fine swell, and our yacht went gaily along. Two of our number were missing, and after a fruitless search, I wrote these lines dedicated to our senior, and the fine old English gentleman : Arise, arise ye friends below, why thus yourselves resign, Come up on deck, and taste once more the breezy ocean's brine; Your heads below-let pillows go, The sun shines bright and clear, Forsake each berth, and join the mirth Of our glad sailors' cheer. Our bark bounds merrily along, High o'er the deep blue sea; Then come aloft and join the song Of the wild waves' melody. I had no sooner read the above to our critic, who was sitting by me, than the fine old English gentleman appeared, to our surprise looking quite well, and his face beaming with genial smiles. In the evening the sea became calmer, and was illuminated with phosphoresence, produced by animalculæ, a species of zoophyte, of infinitesimal size. We had a bucket full of the water brought on deck: when stirred it was full of light, and when thrown overboard splendidly luminous. We went to the stern of the yacht, to watch the long pathway of phosphorescent light, which the course of our vessel was making. Monday, 3 May. At 5.30 this morning, I was awaked by the steward telling me that the old English gentleman was on deck with the captain, and they wished me to come up to see the Pillars of Hercules, as we approached them from the east. Towering up out of the sea in the distance, in the grey morning light, the old rock of Gibraltar looked very imposing; and as we entered the straits with the two pillars, one on each side, the grandeur and impressiveness of the scene increased, until steadily steaming on we rounded Europa Point, and were soon at anchor in Gibraltar Bay. Almost immediately the health officer came alongside, and having asked the usual questions, and received satisfactory replies, he said "free pratique." It occupied less than five minutes, a great contrast to Portugalete and Cadiz. As we rowed ashore and landed at the quay, we saw the immense strength of the fortifications on the sea level: no enemy's ships or boats in the bay could have the least chance against them. We first visited the market, which was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1876, and with which we were much pleased. It is very well constructed, almost entirely of iron, and seemed exactly adapted to its purpose. We then ascended through the town to the fortifications above, in the immense rock of Gibraltar. These must be seen to be understood. Gibraltar was impregnable at the last siege, but since then it has been made doubly so, and it is now unequalled by any other stronghold in the world. It is more important to British naval and mercantile interests, than |