ARRIVE AT PORTSMOUTH. 1] 
above the horizon on the 12th, we were again 
under sail, with a good wind and a tranquil sea. 
The sail along the Danish coast was interesting 
from its beautiful prospects, and numerous 
buildings illumined by the morning sun. 
We passed the Sound the same day, and en- 
tered the Categat. Here we were visited in the 
night by another violent storm. The sky, peal- 
ing with incessant thunder, hung heavy and black 
above us, and spread a fearful darkness over the 
sea, broken only by tremendous flashes of light- 
ning. The electric fluid, in large masses of fire, 
threatened us momentarily with destruction ; 
but thanks be to the strong attractive power 
of the sea, which forms so good a conductor for 
ships, — without it we had been lost! In the 
North Sea our voyage was tedious, from the 
continuance of contrary winds; and in the: 
English Channel dangerous, from the uninter- 
rupted fog. We however reached Portsmouth 
roads in safety on the 25th of August. 
Since it was my intention to double Cape 
Horn in the best season, namely January or 
February, it was necessary to lose no time in 
Kngland. I therefore hastened to London, and 
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