His Excellency Is A Sicilian By Birth, And Is Most Deservedly
Popular In His Government.
He prefers residing at Teneriffe,
for the conveniency of frequent communication with Europe, to the Grand Canary,
which is
Properly the seat of power; and though not long fixed here,
has already found means to establish a manufactory in cotton, silk, and thread,
under excellent regulations, which employs more than sixty persons,
and is of infinite service to the common people. During our short stay
we had every day some fresh proof of his Excellency's esteem and attention,
and had the honour of dining with him, in a style of equal elegance
and splendor. At this entertainment the profusion of ices which appeared
in the desert was surprising, considering that we were enjoying them
under a sun nearly vertical. But it seems the caverns of the Peak,
very far below its summit, afford, at all seasons, ice in abundance.
The restless importunity of the beggars, and the immodesty of the lowest class
of women, are highly disgusting. From the number of his countrymen
to be found, an Englishman is at no loss for society. In the mercantile houses
established here, it is from gentlemen of this description that any information
is derived, for the taciturnity of the Spaniards is not to be overcome
in a short acquaintance, especially by Englishmen, whose reserve
falls little short of their own. The inland country is described as fertile,
and highly romantic; and the environs of the small town of Laguza
mentioned as particularly pleasant.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 8 of 90
Words from 2034 to 2289
of 24415
