the skirts of a wood, at the end of which a narrow opening through the rocks astonished us with the view of those truly fine cascades. It was indeed a profound and perfect seclusion, and the whole may be deemed one of the _chefs-d’œuvre_ of nature, its most fanciful and wondrous operations being here conspicuously displayed. The fine platform upon which the opening enters is nearly one hundred and fifty feet square, and forms the centre of two cascades, the waters passing by a perpendicular rugged precipice of one hundred feet in height, and, flowing in a stream across it, descend by another of almost equal altitude. A fugitive bishop and his followers, wandering over these unfrequented mountains, in the year 1711, when the French had taken possession of the city, accidentally discovered this recluse situation, so well adapted for their concealment. They cut out niches in the rocks for the reception of saints, mutilated portions of which still remained. A large stone table and a seat formed of the rock served as conveniences for our repast, rendered doubly grateful by the noble peculiarity of the surrounding objects. We afterwards crossed the stream, and attempted to explore the precipitous ascent of the Gavea, “Whose hairy sides, With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild, Access denied; and overhead up grew Insuperable height of loftiest shade, A woody theatre of stateliest view.” With cautious steps we retraced our way, and the feelings which the wild and romantic nature of the scene inspired were heightened by the murmuring waters of the hidden cascades. The district of Tejuco is extensive, and belongs principally to one individual, the Conde d’Asceca.