On the east side of this plain, very near the back
of the town, there is a natural lake or pond of fresh water. It is about
half a mile in circumference; but being stagnant, it is only used for
cattle to drink of. In the wintertime several sorts of wildfowl resort
hither, affording plenty of game to the inhabitants of Laguna. This city
is called Laguna from hence; for that word in Spanish signifies a lake or
pond. The plain is bounded on the west, the north-west and the south-west
with high steep hills; as high above this plain as this is above the sea;
and it is from the foot of one of these mountains that the water of the
conduit which supplies the town is conveyed over the plain in troughs of
stone raised upon pillars. And indeed, considering the situation of the
town, its large prospect to the east (for from hence you see the Grand
Canary) its gardens, cool arbors, pleasant plain, green fields, the pond
and aqueduct, and its refreshing breezes; it is a very delightful
dwelling, especially for such as have not business that calls them far
and often from home: for, the island being generally mountainous, steep,
and craggy, full of risings and fallings, it is very troublesome
travelling up and down in it, unless in the cool of the mornings and
evenings: and mules and asses are most used by them, both for riding and
carriage, as fittest for the stony, uneven roads.
Pages:
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35