THE following interesting sketch of an ascent to the crater of Pichincha is from the note-book of a young English engineer, who has recently returned home after a six years' residence in South America:— "Pichincha is a volcano situated in close proximity to the city of Quito, the capital of the republic of Ecuador, South America. Its height above the sea is estimated at fifteen thousand eight hundred and sixty-five feet, or about six thousand three hundred and fifty-five feet higher than the city of Quito, which is situated at an altitude of nine thousand five hundred and ten feet. "Humboldt tells us that he was twice at the mouth of this crater, and goes on to say: 'I know of no one but Condamine who ever reached it, and he was without instruments, and could not stay above a quarter of an hour, on account of the extreme cold. I was more successful. From the edge of the crater rise three peaks, which are free from snow, as it is continually melted by the ascending vapor. At the summit of one of these I found a rock that projected over the precipice, and hence I made my observations. This rock was about twelve feet long by six broad, and was strongly agitated by frequent shocks, of which we counted eighteen in less than half an hour. The mouth of the volcano forms a circular hole, a league in circumference, the perpendicular edges of which are covered with snow on the top. The inside is of a deep black; and I have no doubt that the bottom of the crater is on a level with the city of Quito. Condamine found it extinct, and even covered with snow; but we had to report the unpleasant news that it was burning. On my second visit, being furnished with far better instruments, I found the diameter of the crater to be sixteen hundred yards, whereas that of Vesuvius is but six hundred and seventy yards.' "Humboldt's 'eighteen shocks in less than half an hour' need excite no surprise, when we remember that throughout this region the mighty and irresistible subterranean 'fire-king' seems to reign supreme, and earthquake shocks are so common that the people seem to heed them but little, notwithstanding the terrible facts that in 1795 a fearful earthquake, doing an enormous amount of damage, occurred here; and another two years later, which was so appalling in its destructive powers, that it is said forty thousand persons perished in a few minutes; that the ground opened in all directions, throwing out sulphur, boiling water, and mud; and that the face of the country was changed in consequence. And yet the denizens of Quito, in spite of these visitations, are a gay, light-hearted people, much given to amusement and pleasure, never appearing to recollect that awful 'mine' lying beneath their feet, which at any moment, and without the least warning, may hurl both city and citizens into eternity."