102 TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



fort and security, and banishes every idea of 

 danger. In this manner we, too, on board an 

 admirably well-built vessel, guided with prudence 

 and science, surrounded by a company well calcu- 

 lated for mutual pleasure and instruction, became 

 acquainted with the most agreeable part of a 

 seafaring life. In the alternate occupations of 

 cards, music, and literary employments, the hours 

 passed as rapidly as our swift-sailing vessel glided 

 over the waves. 



The trifling thunderstorms and gusts of wind, 

 quickly rising and passing away, which, from this 

 time now and then occurred, appeared merely to 

 diversify the uniformity of our mode of life, since, 

 at once sublime, and threatening danger, they ex- 

 cited various emotions. Exactly in the latitude of 

 Ferro, a sudden squall broke and threw down 

 several yards, by which some sailors were hurt, but 

 no other unpleasant consequence ensued. In the 

 vicinity of those beautiful islands, which even the 

 ancients distinguished by the name of the Fortunate, 

 the naturalists, in particular, felt a secret wish that 

 some favourable opportunity would occur to land 

 upon one of them. We should have been very 

 happy to have had a nearer view of the Peak ; and 

 should have felt great interest in examining, among 

 other curiosities, the remains of the Guanches, who, 

 according to our later observations, agree with the 

 negroes in their slender forms, thick lips, and 

 broad flat noses j but, by their sharp projecting 



