LETTER V. 



Voyage to Teneriffe Continued 



At length, wafted by propitious gales, we begin to 

 approach our destined haven. Since my last date, the 

 weather has been incomparably delightful, and each day 

 closed by evenings of tranquil beauty. The vivid colors 

 which gild the setting sun, the fantastic forms that mark 

 the golden clouds, and the sublimities of a starlight even- 

 ing at sea, inspire emotions sufficient to compensate the 

 most reluctant voyager for all the endurances of an Atlan- 

 tic passage. 



On the morning of the 5th instant, we observed the Isle 

 of Madeira eight or ten leagues to the south of us, the sum- 

 mit of which, was distinctly seen above the clouds that 

 were hanging about its sides ; and low in the south-east 

 were to be seen the peaked tops of Porto Santo just peep- 

 ing above the horizon. We slowly glided along during 

 the day, and the next morning were in sight of the 

 Desertas, which lay a few leagues to the southward. At 

 our left hand was Porto Santo displaying its ragged sum- 

 mits, and near by, at our right, Madeira, which exhibited 

 to us a friendly look, and seemed once more to reconnect 

 us with our mother earth. It wore a truly pleasing and 

 picturesque appearance as we passed by. The top of the 

 mountain was incessantly enveloped in light cumulous 

 clouds ; its sides, peculiarly broken and rugged, consisted 

 of dark arid ridges, destitute of verdure, alternated by 

 deep fertile valleys. At the bottom of the descent was the 

 city of Fanchal, in the vicinity of which, were innumerable 

 sloping vineyards, interspersed with gentlemens' seats, and 

 the more humble huts of the vine-dressers, whose whit- 

 ened walls conspicuously diversified the face of nature. 



