CHAP, i.] WEST INDIES. 9 



This state of the weather commonly continues, with 

 little variation, from the beginning of June until the 

 middle of August, when the diurnal breeze begins to 

 intermit, and the atmosphere becomes sultry, incom- 

 modious, and suffocating. In the latter end of this 

 month, and most part of September, we look about 

 in vain for coolness and comfort. The thermometer 

 occasionally exceeds ninety degrees, and instead of 

 a steady and refreshing wind from the sea, there are 

 usually faint breezes and calms alternately. These are 

 preludes to the second periodical or Autumnal season. 

 Large towering clouds, fleecy, and of a reddish hue, 

 are now seen in the morning, in the quarters of the 

 south, and south-east; the tops of the mountains at 

 the same time appear clear of clouds, and the objects 

 upon them wear a blueish cast, and seem much near- 

 er to the spectator than usual. When these vast ac- 

 cumulations of vapour have risen to a considerable 

 height in the atmosphere, they commonly move hori- 

 zontally towards the mountains, proclaiming their pro- 

 gress in deep and rolling thunder, which, reverbera- 

 ted from peak to peak, and answered by the distant 

 roaring of the sea, heightens the majesty of the scene, 

 and irresistibly lifts up the mind of the spectator to the 

 great Author of all sublimity. 



The waters, however, with which these congre- 

 gated vapours load the atmosphere, seldom fall with 

 great and general force until the beginning of Octo- 

 ber. It is then that the heavens pour down cataracts. 

 An European who has not visited these climates, can 

 form no just conception of the quantity of water which 



Vol. I, B 



