It was upon Algesiras that an attempt had been meditated by a small body of refugees, and others,--chiefly from Ceuta,--collected at Gibraltar; it was fortunate for them that the intention was discovered, because any descent upon Algesiras could only have been followed by their destruction. There was not the slightest truth in any of the reports which were current in other countries, respecting risings in different parts of the southern provinces. No attempt was made to disturb the government in any part of Andalusia, nor with the exception of the scheme I have just noticed, is it believed that any was meditated. I left Algesiras before noon, and rode within water mark round the bay towards Gibraltar. Across the bay, it is not a league from Algesiras to Gibraltar, but round by the tongue of land, it is between two and three leagues; no one however can regret the distance, for the views on every side are magnificent; and the sands, when the tide is a little back, are spacious and dry. After crossing two wide creeks by ferries, I found myself on English, rather than on Spanish ground; for though still within the Spanish lines, I met numerous parties of English officers and ladies on horseback; and having passed the Spanish sentinels, and the neutral ground, which is but very limited, I was in the British dominions. CHAPTER XVI. GIBRALTAR. MALAGA. Picture of the Street Population of Gibraltar; the Construction of Houses favourable to Epidemic; Scenery, union of Nature and Art; the _Agremens_ of Gibraltar as a Military Station; high Prices in Gibraltar; the Alameda; the Excavations; Walk to the Summit; the Monkeys; Magnificent View; Sunday in Gibraltar; Trade; the Epidemic; Extortion at the Passport Office; Voyage to Malaga; View of the City from the Sea; a strange Usage; Pictures of Idleness; facility of Living in Malaga; Bad Character of the Population; an Anecdote; Public Edifices; Society; Morals; Italian Opera; curious Scenes; a perilous Situation; the Wines of Malaga; Produce, and Export of Wines; Malaga Sherry; Export of Fruits; the Raisins of Malaga; Trade with England; Excursions in the Neighbourhood; Water-Coolers; Prices of Provisions. To some, it may almost appear waste of words, to speak of Gibraltar,--Gibraltar, a British possession that every body has heard of, and where there are always five or six British regiments; and yet, if I be at all entitled to judge of others, by my own ignorance of Gibraltar before I visited it, I suspect the rock of Gibraltar is but very imperfectly known to those who have never passed the Streights.