191 



" This surf which is driven to the land with such fury, pro- 

 duces a phenomenon in the sandy deserts, even far removed 

 from the sea. In the time of the violent south-east winds it is 

 carried to a great distance into the country, presenting the appear- 

 ance of a thick mist. It gradually quits the atmosphere, lighting 

 on the trees and herbs, and lining the surface of the sands. On 

 the commencement of the rainy season it is again dissolved; and 

 being carried off by the streams which are then formed, it is lodged 

 in a number of small lakes; which, by a natural process, in time 

 become absolute salt-pans, and thence it is that the Dutch colo- 

 nists collect the salt which supplies their consumption. A person 

 walking on the sandy beach during the continuance of the south- 

 east winds, so as to be exposed to its influence, soon finds his 

 clothes covered and encrusted with saline particles; while his skin 

 is quite parched up, and his lips begin to feel their effects very 

 sensibly." 



As the small vessel which brought me from Bombay to the 

 Cape was not permitted to proceed to Europe, I embarked on 

 board the Calcutta Indiaman, commanded by captain William 

 Thomson, from whom I received the kindest attentions, and joined 

 a party of friends, who were passengers for England, and had 

 sailed from Bombay ten weeks before my departure. As I had 

 no intention of leaving India at that time they were astonished to 

 find me at the Cape, and that my voyage thither was completed 

 in seven weeks, while theirs exceeded seventeen. 



After a pleasant passage of fourteen days from the Cape, we 

 arrived at St. Helena. A constant succession of fair winds, smooth 

 water, and fine weather, however delightful to the voyager, pre- 



