ACEOSS THE EQUATOR. 499 



from the Table in page 148 of the 2nd vol., dated March, 1859, plainly prove that 

 the extreme Western route is a disadvantage in October. And, again, the 

 American part of the Table in page 369 shows that ships should not go East of 

 the Cape de Verde Islands in October, though it is contradicted by the Dutch part 

 of the same Table, with more ships to take a i average from. Still, most of the 

 nine Dutch ships may have passed East of the Cape de Verdes much later in 

 October than the Americans; at any rate sound reason seems to support the 

 middle route, for if a ship works her way to the South in the longitude of the 

 Cape de Verdes she is more likely to get a spirt of the S.W. monsoon, which some- 

 times blows at this season, and avoid the certain Calms of a more Easterly course, 

 as also the danger of being detained a day or two near Cape St. Roque by the more 

 "Westerly route. 



" From the end of October to February I would pass East of the Cape de Terde 

 Islands, and perhaps also in March and April. Early in December we took this 

 route, and were on the Equator on the 23rd day from England. 



" A few tracks similar to these for each month in the year would soon decide 

 the best route." 



We are unwilling to omit those instructions which appeared in our 

 former editions, and which for nearly a century directed almost all the 

 European shipping; but, of course, what has preceded will supersede them 

 where they differ. Still, much is good to the present day, and may be 

 followed advantageously. 



M. D'Apres de Mannevillette, in his Directions from the English Channel to 

 the East Indies, says, " "When you steer out of the Channel, you ought to shape 

 your course so as to pass Cape Finisterre at the distance of 25 or 30 leagues ; this 

 distance," he adds, "will be sufficient, in whatsoever season of the year your 

 voyage may happen ; you may indeed double that cape still nearer, if circum- 

 stances require, but, from its latitude, you should always shape a course for the 

 Island of Madeira. 



" Though a sight of that island is not iadispensably necessary in this passage, 

 it is proper, however, to gain a sight of it, or of the Island of Porto Santo, that 

 you may be able to keep on your course afterward with greater certainty, whether 

 you pass between the Canary Islands, or leave them to the Eastward, as may be 

 judged most convenient. 



" In the passage from the coast of France to the Canaries, you may frequently 

 find differences in your reckoning to the Eastward, which arise most probably 

 from the indraught of the currents toward the Strait of Gibraltar : some have 

 made the land on the coast of Africa when they expected to have discovered 

 Tenerife; others have gained sight of Allegranza, off the Northern part of 

 Lanzarote, instead of Tenerife ; and, though the errors in reckoning may not fre- 

 quently be so considerable, yet it is safer to be on your guard, when you judge, 

 by your reckoning, that you are in the latitude of these islands, especially in the 

 night-time, or when the want of moonlight, or very thick hazy weather, prevents 

 you from discovering dangers at such a distance as to be able to av.>id them. 



" The differences to "Westward, though much more rare, are not yet without 

 example ; chiefly when the winds have hung contrary for some time after the 

 departure from the ports of England or France. 



" Ships are, however, now generally recommended to pass to the Westward of 

 the Canary and Cape Verde Islands ; it having been found that, in this route, 

 steadier winds may be expected than those generally prevalent close to or among 

 the islands. On the African coast, W.S.W. and S.W. winds are frequent. The 



