The sun was rolling high in the firmament, casting
from its orb of fire the most glorious rays, so
That the atmosphere
was flickering with their splendour, but their fierceness was
either warded off by the shadow of the trees or rendered innocuous
by the refreshing coolness which rose from the waters, or by the
gentle breezes which murmured at intervals over the meadows,
"fanning the cheek or raising the hair" of the wanderer. The hills
gradually receded, till at last we entered a plain where tall grass
was waving, and mighty chestnut trees, in full blossom, spread out
their giant and umbrageous boughs. Beneath many stood cars, the
tired oxen prostrate on the ground, the crossbar of the poll which
they support pressing heavily on their heads, whilst their drivers
were either employed in cooking, or were enjoying a delicious
siesta in the grass and shade. I went up to one of the largest of
these groups and demanded of the individuals whether they were in
need of the Testament of Jesus Christ. They stared at one another,
and then at me, till at last a young man, who was dangling a long
gun in his hands as he reclined, demanded of me what it was, at the
same time inquiring whether I was a Catalan, "for you speak
hoarse," said he, "and are tall and fair like that family." I sat
down amongst them and said that I was no Catalan, but that I came
from a spot in the Western Sea, many leagues distant, to sell that
book at half the price it cost; and that their souls' welfare
depended on their being acquainted with it. I then explained to
them the nature of the New Testament, and read to them the parable
of the Sower. They stared at each other again, but said that they
were poor, and could not buy books. I rose, mounted, and was going
away, saying to them: "Peace bide with you." Whereupon the young
man with the gun rose, and saying, "Caspita! this is odd," snatched
the book from my hand and gave me the price I had demanded.
Perhaps the whole world might be searched in vain for a spot whose
natural charms could rival those of this plain or valley of
Bembibre, as it is called, with its wall of mighty mountains, its
spreading chestnut trees, and its groves of oaks and willows, which
clothe the banks of its stream, a tributary to the Minho. True it
is, that when I passed through it, the candle of heaven was blazing
in full splendour, and everything lighted by its rays looked gay,
glad, and blessed. Whether it would have filled me with the same
feelings of admiration if viewed beneath another sky, I will not
pretend to determine; but it certainly possesses advantages which
at no time could fail to delight, for it exhibits all the peaceful
beauties of an English landscape blended with something wild and
grand, and I thought within myself that he must be a restless
dissatisfied man, who, born amongst those scenes, would wish to
quit them.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 179 of 424
Words from 94138 to 94662
of 222596