151 A seajvian's luxury. 



which the heavens cleared, the storm abated, 

 and towards evening on the 8th, we regained 

 the ordinary trade-wind. I mention these 

 storms, only because they are almost unex- 

 ampled at so great a distance from land, be- 

 tween the tropics, and especially as coming 

 from the west ; but it appears that this year 

 was quite out of the ordinary course, and pro- 

 duced a number of strange phenomena of which 

 we heard complaints wherever we went. 



The weather, after treating us so ill, again 

 became friendly, and the remainder of our voy- 

 age proceeded swiftly and favourably under 

 the magnificent tropical sky : agreeable it was 

 sure to be ; for the peculiar charm of a sail be- 

 tween the tropics is appreciated by all seamen. 

 An old English captain, with whom I became 

 acquainted during this voyage, assured me that 

 he could imagine no greater luxury for the 

 remainder of his life, than to possess a good 

 quick-sailing ship, to keep a good table, and 

 to sail between the tropics, without ever mak- 

 ing land. I cannot, I confess, altogether par- 

 ticipate in this true seaman-like taste : on my 

 voyages, the mere sight of land has always 



