17?'5« HOUND THE WORLD. 259 



mentioned. Mr. Dent, who acted as consul, in the 

 absence of Mr. Gathorne, not only procured this per- 

 mission, but accommodated Mr. Wales with a conve- 

 nient place in his garden, to set up his instruments ; 

 so that he was enabled to observe equal altitudes the 

 same day. 



We were not more obliged to Mr. Dent for the very 

 friendly readiness he showed, in procuring us this and 

 every other thing we wanted, than for the very libe- 

 ral and hospitable entertainment we met with at his 

 house, which was open to accommodate us, both 

 night and day. 



During our stay, the ship's company was served 

 with fresh beef; and we took on board about fifteen 

 tons of water, which we brought off in the country 

 boats, at the rate of about three shillings per ton. 

 Ships are allowed to water with their own boats, but 

 the many inconveniences attending it more than 

 overbalance the expense of hiring shore-boats which 

 is the most general custom. 



Fresh provisions for present use may be got, such 

 as beef; vegetables, and fruit ; and hogs, sheep, and 

 poultry, for sea-stock, at a pretty reasonable price ; 

 but I do not know that any sea-provisions are to be 

 had, except wine. The bullocks and hogs are very 

 good, but the sheep are small, and wretchedly poor. 



The principal produce of Fayal is wheat and Indian 

 corn, with which they supply Pico, and some of the 

 other isles. The chief town is called Villa de Horta. 

 It is situated in the bottom of the bay, close to the 

 edge of the sea, and is defended by two castles, one 

 at each end of the town, and a wall of stone-work, 

 extending along the sea-shore, from the one to the 

 other. But these works are suffered to go to decay, 

 and serve more for show than strength. They height- 

 en the prospect of the city, which makes a fine ap- 

 pearance from the road ; but, if we except the Jesuits' 

 College, the monasteries and churches, there is not 

 another building that has any thing to recommend it, 



s 2 



