STUDY X. 45 



I was caught in another ftorm, when doubling 

 the Cape, on my return, in the month of January, 

 which is mid-fummer in that part of the world. 

 The ground of the Heavens was blue, as in the 

 firft, and not above five or fix clouds were percep- 

 tible above the Horizon ; but each of them, white, 

 black, cavernous, and of an enormous magnitude, 

 refembled a portion of the Alps fufpended in the 

 air. This laft was much lefs violent than the for- 

 mer, with it's fmall ruddy vapours. In both, the 

 fea was of the fame beautiful azure colour with 

 the fky ; and, on the curling crefts of the vail bil- 

 lows, ru thing like fo many cafcades, were formed 

 bright coloured rainbows. 



Thefe tempefts, in the full blaze of light, are 

 inexpreflibly tremendous. The foul ftands aghafl 

 at fight of the indications of tranquillity converted 

 into figns of ftorm ; the unclouded azure in the 

 Heavens, and the rainbow playing upon the waves. 

 The principles of harmony appeared to be com- 

 pletely inverted. Nature feemed to have put on a 

 character of perfidioufnefs, and to conceal fury 

 under the maik of benevolence. 



The mallows of thofe Latitudes exhibit fimilar 

 contrails. John-Hugo de Linfchotten^ who faw thofe 

 of the Jewefs, at no great diftance, in the Mofam- 

 bique channel, and upon which he was in extreme 



danger 



