VALLEY AND BATHS

OF

THE FURNAS.

Of hidden beauty have I chanced to espy
Among the mountains; never one like this,
So lonesome, and so perfectly secure;
Not melancholy-no, for it is green,
And bright and fertile, furnished, in itself,
With the few needful things which life requires.
In rugged arms how soft it seems to lie, -
How tenderly protected."

Voyage to St. Michael's. -Ponta Delgada.- Villa Franca. · Asses.The Valley of the Furnas.

SAILED from Fayal for St. Michael's on Monday afternoon, May 27. It was the first excur

sion of the vessel, a fine schooner of ninety tons; and as she had been built on the island she was a source of much interest to the people of Horta. She had been launched about three weeks since, and nearly all the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood were present. Long rows of women, shrouded in their blue cloaks, squatted upon the sands of the bay, waiting patiently for many hours until the tide rose to its due height. We stood out to sea with a large party, and after cruising about for some time we took leave, with much regret, of friends whose courteous and hospitable attentions had added so much to the pleasure of our visit to their island, and steered for St. Michael's. The night was calm, and the next morning Pico and Fayal, as well as St. George's and Terceira, were still within sight. The day was a delicious one for those who, like ourselves, were in no haste; a gentle favourable breeze, a smooth sea, and capital accommodations, for we were the guests of Mr. Dabney, who had fitted up his vessel with all conveniences. Few sea pleasures can exceed those we have enjoyed in our excursions between these islands during this spring and early summer weather. Voyages of two or three days at a time, with light winds