got on to a long, broad, and level road, with poplar
trees on either side. The road was raised slightly above the surrounding
country, and had formerly been a railway; the fields on either side were
in the highest conceivable cultivation, but the harvest and also the
vintage had been already gathered. The weather had got cooler more
rapidly than could be quite accounted for by the progress of the season;
so I rather thought that we must have been making away from the sun, and
were some degrees farther from the equator than when we started. Even
here the vegetation showed that the climate was a hot one, yet there was
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
motione