a melancholy drawback to the charms of this beautiful island, that the friendship frequently formed between them and people who come hither in search of health, is in so many cases brought to an early and sad termination.  Having seen and admired Mrs. Foljambe’s charming garden by daylight, we returned on board to receive some friends.  Unfortunately they were not very good sailors, and, out of our party of twenty, one lady had to go ashore at once, and another before dinner was over.

They all admired the yacht very much, particularly the various cozy corners in the deck-house.  It was a lovely night; and after the departure of our guests, at about ten o’clock, we steamed out of the bay, where we found a nice light breeze, which enabled us to sail.

[Illustration:  A Cozy Corner.]

Thursday, July 20th.—­All to-day has been taken up in arranging our photographs, journals, &c. &c., and in preparing for our visit to Teneriffe.  About twelve o’clock the wind fell light and we tried fishing, but without success, though several bonitos or flying-fish were seen.  It was very hot, and it seemed quite a relief when, at eight o’clock in the evening, we began steaming, thus creating a breeze for ourselves.

Friday, July 21st.—­We all rose early, and were full of excitement to catch the first glimpse of the famous Peak of Teneriffe.  There was a nice breeze from the north-east, the true trade wind, we hope, which ought to carry us down nearly to the Line.  The morning being rather hazy, it was quite ten o’clock before we saw the Peak, towering above the clouds, right ahead, about fifty-nine miles off.  As we approached, it appeared less perpendicular than we had expected, or than it is generally represented in pictures.  The other mountains too, in the centre of the island, from the midst of which it rises, are so very lofty that, in spite of its conical sugar-loaf top, it is difficult at first to realise that the Peak is 12,180 feet high.

We dropped anchor under its shadow in the harbour of Orotava in preference to the capital, Santa Cruz, both on account of its being a healthier place, and also in order to be nearer to the Peak, which we wished to ascend.

The heat having made the rest of our party rather lazy, Captain Lecky and I volunteered to go on shore to see the Vice-Consul, Mr. Goodall, and try to make arrangements for our expedition.  It was only 2 p.m., and very hot work, walking through the deserted streets, but luckily we had not far to go, and the house was nice and cool when we got there.  Mr. Goodall sent off at once for a carriage, despatching a messenger also to the mountains for horses and guides, which there was some difficulty in obtaining at such short notice.

Having organised the expedition we re-embarked to dine on board the yacht, and I went to bed at seven, to be called again, however, at half-past ten o’clock.  After a light supper, we landed and went to the Vice-Consul’s arriving there exactly at midnight.  But no horses were forthcoming, so we lay down on our rugs in the patio, and endeavoured to sleep, as we knew we should require all our strength for the expedition before us.