2 MADEIRA. 



Wales, eleven days having elapsed since leaving 

 Plymouth, from whence we had taken our de- 

 parture. The appearance of the island, when we 

 had reached to within seven or eight miles of 

 it, was generally barren, varied by an occasional 

 verdant patch scattered over the rugged rocks, 

 which terminated in steep cliffs to the water's 

 edge. 



On the following morning at day-light, the 

 dark towering land of Madeira* was visible, 

 rising like a huge black mass from the blue 

 water. By eight a. m. we were in the passage 

 between the south-east side of Madeira and the 

 group of islands known as the Desertas, sailing, 

 with a light and agreeable breeze, from the east- 

 ward, which enabled us to have an excellent view 

 both of the former islands and Madeira ; and as 

 our progress seemed to be quicker than would 

 have been expected from our gentle zephyrs, we 

 were probably also aided by a current, f 



* Madeira signifies, in the Portuguese language, "woody;" 

 and the island was so named from the very wooded appear- 

 ance it had on its discovery. 



f In summer, Horsburgh states that the north-east winds 

 prevail, and a south-west current sets through the channel, 

 between Madeira and the Desertas. The current along the 

 south side of Madeira and the Desertas mostly sets to the lee- 

 ward in strong gales ; but at the conclusion of a gale, it some- 

 times changes suddenly, and sets contrary to the wind. 



