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.