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no lack of vigour among the people; on the contrary, they were a very
hardy race, and capable of great endurance. For the hundredth time I
thought that, take them all round, I had never seen their equals in
respect of physique, and they looked as good-natured as they were robust.
The flowers were for the most part over, but their absence was in some
measure compensated for by a profusion of delicious fruit, closely
resembling the figs, peaches, and pears of Italy and France. I saw no
wild animals, but birds were plentiful and much as in Europe, but not
tame as they had been on the other side the ranges. They were shot at
with the cross-bow and with arrows, gunpowder being unknown, or at any
rate not in use.

We were now nearing the metropolis and I could see great towers and
fortifications, and lofty buildings that looked like palaces. I began to
be nervous as to my reception; but I had got on very well so far, and
resolved to continue upon the same plan as hitherto--namely, to behave
just as though I were in England until I saw that I was making a blunder,
and then to say nothing till I could gather how the land lay. We drew
nearer and nearer. The news of my approach had got abroad, and there was
a great crowd collected on either side the road, who greeted me with
marks of most respectful curiosity, keeping me bowing constantly in
acknowledgement from side to side.

When we were about a mile off, we were met by the Mayor and several
Councillors, among whom was a venerable old man, who was introduced to me
by the Mayor (for so I suppose I should call him) as the gentleman who
had invited me to his house. I bowed deeply and told him how grateful I
felt to him, and how gladly I would accept his hospitality. He forbade
me to say more, and pointing to his carriage, which was close at hand, he
motioned me to a seat therein. I again bowed profoundly to the Mayor and
Councillors, and drove off with my entertainer, whose name was Senoj
Nosnibor. After about half a mile the carriage turned off the main road,
and we drove under the walls of the town till we reached a _palazzo_ on a
slight eminence, and just on the outskirts of the city. This was Senoj
Nosnibor's house, and nothing can be imagined finer. It was situated
near the magnificent and venerable ruins of the old railway station,
which formed an imposing feature from the gardens of the house. The
grounds, some ten or a dozen acres in extent, were laid out in terraced
gardens, one above the other, with flights of broad steps ascending and
descending the declivity of the garden. On these steps there were
statues of most exquisite workmanship. Besides the statues there were
vases filled with various shrubs that were new to me; and on either side
the flights of steps there were rows of old cypresses and cedars, with
grassy alleys between them. Then came choice vineyards and orchards of
fruit-trees in full bearing.

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