Grand Natural '' Montagne Russe." 107 



same time. These singular vehicles are guided on either side 

 with admirable adroitness by two natives, who avoid slipping 

 by moistening their shoes ; and, notwithstanding the velocity 

 of these conveyances, even slight accidents are unheard of. 

 Sledge parties of this kind, being cheap, constitute the most 

 favourite amusement of the people of Funchal. 



The whole company met together once more at a convivial 

 dinner in the hotel, where, agreeably to the custom of the 

 country, not only the room and table, but even every single 

 dish served up, was adorned with garlands of fragrant flowers. 



On the 17th June we again weighed anchor. The intention 

 had originally been to steer direct for Rio de Janeiro ; but as 

 we learned, two days before our departure, that the yellow fever, 

 though on the decrease, had not yet entirely ceased, we were 

 in no hurry to arrive at the capital of Brazil, and therefore 

 determined to employ the time so gained, in investigating the 

 nature of the winds and currents prevalent in these latitudes. 

 For though the proper course of ships between England and 

 North America has been admirably laid down, for nearly every 

 month of the year, by the long-continued ingenious labours 

 of Commander Maury, of the Washington Observatory, yet 

 there still exists great difficulty in steering sailing vessels from 

 Gibraltar or Madeira to South America, by the directions 

 hitherto existing ; the more so, as the seafarer in these lati- 

 tudes, close to the limits of the north-east trade-wind, gene- 

 rally falls in with variable breezes and frequent calms, caused 

 partly by the African coast and partly by the cluster of isles 



