PAUL AND VIRGINIA. 55 



foot of the Cross having nearly the same right ascension, 

 it follows that the constellation is almost perpendicular 

 at the moment when it passes the meridian. This cir- 

 cumstance is known to the people of every nation situ- 

 ated beyond the tropics, or in the southern hemisphere. 

 It has been observed at what hour of the night, in differ- 

 ent seasons, the Cross is erect or inclined. It is a time- 

 piece which advances very regularly nearly four minutes 

 a day, and no other group of stars affords to the naked 

 eye an observation of time so easily made. Often after- 

 ward did Humboldt and Bonpland hear their guides ex- 

 claim in the savannahs of Venezuela, or in the desert 

 extending from Lima to Truxillo, " Midnight is past, the 

 Cross begins to bend !" It reminded them of that affect- 

 ing scene, where Paul and Virginia, seated near the 

 source of the river of Lataniers, conversed together for 

 the last time, and where the old man, at the sight of the 

 Southern Cross, warned them that it was time to sepa- 

 rate. 



The last days of their passage were not so felicitous as 

 the mildness of the climate and the calmness of the ocean 

 had led them to hope. The dangers of the sea did not 

 disturb them, but the germs of a malignant fever became 

 manifest on board the Pizarro, as they drew near the An- 

 tilles. Between decks the ship was excessively hot, and 

 very much crowded. From the time they passed the 

 tropic, the thermometer stood at 93° or 97°. Two sail 

 ors, several passengers, two negroes from the coast of 

 Guinea, and a mulatto child, were attacked with a dis- 

 order which appeared to be epidemic. 



On the morning of the 13th high land was seen from 

 the masthead, though not clearly, as it was surrounded 



