78 Barometrical Measuremtmt of the 



and not without danger, as a slip unrecovered would generally 

 be fatal, we attained the summit. We experienced no other 

 inconvenience than being wet by the rain, and a little cold, 

 whilst we remained to make the necessary observations to 

 ascertain the height ; certainly none that need deter others from 

 a similar undertaking at the same season of the year, when, 

 should the weather be clear, they will be amply repaid. The 

 Peak being nearly in the centre of the island, the view»from it 

 must be very splendid, though of this we were only able to 

 form an imperfect judgment from the unfavourable circum- 

 stances of the weather. It is not otherwise interesting than 

 as relates to its height and situation, being merely one of se- 

 veral pinnacles in an island of volcanic formation. 



It was dark before we had rejoined our party in the valley. 

 We had then to reascend the opposite side of the Curral to 

 that which we had descended in the morning, in order to gain 

 a nearer road to Funchal than by the Jardim de Serra. This 

 ascent was more precipitous than any we had yet traversed, 

 and made those amongst us feel nervous who had not learned 

 from habit to confide in the sure-footing of the horses, inas- 

 much as, during the greater part of the way, a single false step 

 would have precipitated the horse and rider many hundred 

 feet into the valley beneath ; the apprehensions of danger 

 were perhaps augmented by the accompaniment of torch-light^ 

 and induced some of the party to trust to themselves rather 

 than to the horses ; we all, however, reached Funchal in safety 

 by midnight. 



The barometer was found to answer extremely well, both 

 in conveyance and in use. I am not aware of any objection 

 to the iron cistern to counterbalance its many advantages 

 over those of leather or of wood, the former of which are es- 

 pecially faulty in being affected by damp, whilst the certairi 

 freedom of the mercury from air and moisture in barometers of 

 this construction, give them a decided preference over those 

 which are filled on the spot, and which I cannot consider as 

 otherwise than very uncertain. I regret extremely that I have 

 not to occupy your attention with the more important relation of 



