lands are high, and there are many lofty mountains, with which the
islands of Teneriffe cannot be compared. They are all most
beautiful, of a thousand different shapes, accessible, and covered
with trees of a thousand kinds, of such great height that they
seem to reach the skies. I am told that the trees never lose their
foliage, and I can well understand it, for I observed that they
were as green and luxuriant as in Spain in the month of May. Some
were in bloom, others bearing fruit, and others otherwise,
according to their nature. The nightingale was singing, as well as
other little birds of a thousand different kinds, and that in
November, the month in which I was roaming amongst them. There are
palm trees of six or eight kinds, wonderful in their beautiful
variety; but this is the case with all other trees and fruits and
grasses. It contains extraordinary pine groves and very extensive
plains. There is also honey and a great variety of birds, and many
different kinds of fruits. In the interior there are many mines of
metals, and a population innumerable."





CHAPTER III.

SPAIN'S BLACK HISTORICAL RECORD.

Present Men of Prominence Are Types of Those Who Were Infamous
Years Ago--Roman Rule in Spain--Weakness of Spanish Power of
Resistance--Discoveries in America--Horrors of the Inquisition--
Spanish Rule in Holland--Expulsion of the Moors--Loss of American