A SEAMAN 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 



