[Illustration: Julia, or Graham's Island, in August 1831.]

"The heat struck our faces forcibly; while a flaming sheaf rose
right into the air, and fell back in a shower of fire all around.
Some bombs ascended to a height of about 1200 feet, and in passing
over our heads described parabolas of fire. Immediately after such
an eruption, the lava withdrew to the bottom of the chimney, which
then yawned black and gaping. But erelong there was seen re-
ascending the shining mirror of the surface of lava, which then
recommenced the rhythmic play of its ordinary less violent
bubblings."

What an agreeable visit this must have been! Don't you think,
between ourselves, that the German philosopher must, on this
occasion, have greatly resembled an Irishman in love, seeing he was
so eager to reach the mouth of the _crater?_

Before passing on to the description of other existing volcanoes,
it may entertain you to hear something about Julia. This
interesting _crater_ had a short and troubled existence. She
was not born like others of her name, but rose suddenly and
majestically out of the sea, as the poets feign that Venus did of
old. She did not, however, keep her head long above water, but
after raging and fuming for about a couple of months, she plunged
again under the waves. This happened in the year 1831.

On page 57 is a picture showing you how she looked in August of
that year, about a month after she made her appearance. You see
what a fury of a _crater_ she must have been. It was a French