BLUE MOUNTAIN PEAK. 17 



rock, that rose steep and abrupt out of the sea before 

 us, relieved against the horizon already glowing with 

 the declining sun. As we neared it, I v/as struck 

 with its resemblance to the Bass, as well in form 

 and appearance as in the myriads of sea-birds that 

 were congregated in clouds around it. They were 

 settling down for the night ; and strings of other 

 birds, from all points of the compass, were seen on 

 flagging wing wending their way to their island lodg- 

 ing, after their predatory seaward excursions of the 

 day. Behind the rock in the northern horizon, was 

 seen the conical form of Nevis, that lovely little 

 gem of the Hesperidan archipelago, but blue and 

 distant, and presently lost ; for the sun had set, and 

 the night, like a giant, strode quickly over the scene. 



BLUE MOUNTAIN PEAK. 



Dec. 4th. — My first sight of Jamaica was one that 

 I never can forget. The approach to the land of 

 one's destination after a long voyage is always a season 

 of pleasurable excitement ; a peculiar flutter of the 

 spirits, a disposition to hilarity, and to mutual gratu- 

 lation pervades more or less every one on board, from 

 cabin passenger to the black cook in the caboose. 

 Every one may be seen from time to time straining 

 his eyes, in the direction from which the first dim 

 blue indication may be expected ; and those who dare 

 to go aloft make free use of the advantage which that 

 elevation affords them. I had arisen early, and at 

 dawn of day had seen Cape Tiburon, the west point 

 of Hayti, dark, distinct, and palpable, though distant 



