1824, AUGUST, MADEIRA 79 



Friday, August Qth. — Pleasant and dry ; sun visible, Lat, 47°. Wind 

 northerly. Thermometer at noon 68°, on the surface of the water 62° ; 

 winds usually moderate towards midday and freshen in the evening. 



Saturday, 7th. — ^Pleasant, but cloudy in the morning. Sun visible at 

 ten o'clock ; an observation was had which gave 45° 41'. Cloudy in the 

 afternoon ; sensible of increasing heat in the evenings and during the 

 night. At two passed a vessel goiag eastward, distance two leagues. 

 The night was observed as is usual with sailors, succeeded by some songs. 

 The good wiU shown was more to be admired than the melody. 



Sunday, August 8th. — Pleasant fanning wind throughout the day and , 

 as is usually the case, freshened towards dusk. Prayers read by the 

 surgeon at the captain's request. At three o'clock the peaks of Porto Santo 

 were observed and up to dusk became more and more visible. Sail was 

 shortened to come up with the land at daybreak. In the morning shall 

 be regaled with a fine view. 



Monday, August 2th. — ^In the morning at daylight the Island of 

 Porto Santo was perfectly visible, about four leagues distant. With a 

 pleasant fanning breeze we passed the north-east point at seven o'clock. 



On the east side the hills rise into high rugged barren peaks. Several 

 rocks of considerable size, with numerous detached pieces from them, are 

 seen above water two hundred to four hundred yards from the shore. The 

 town (Porto Santo) is pleasantly situated on a gentle declivity, having 

 on the left the high peaks mentioned and on the right some conical hUls, 

 but neither so high nor so rugged as those on the eastern side. 



The houses are generally low, built of stone, and whitewashed. Bach 

 house has a large garden, or piece of ground under cultivation, attached to 

 it, which gives it more the appearance of a village than a town. Vines do 

 very well here, with most of the fruits cultivated at Madeira. On the 

 western side high rocks rise out of the ocean, larger by far than those on 

 the eastern side. There was a sudden rise of the thermometer. Yesterday 

 in the shade it stood at 71°, and now at eight o'clock 79°. At eleven 

 o'clock the high mountains of Madeira showed themselves with their tops 

 enveloped in the clouds, objects which we hailed with pleasure. Reached 

 Point Lorenza, the eastern extremity of the island ; no cultivation is 

 seen for several miles to the south-west. The rocks are low on the east, 

 of a copper or blackish colour, and look much like volcanic remains. 



On the left, at the distance of three leagues, are two islands called the 

 Deserters, where the Portuguese transport their criminals. They appear 

 almost barren. 



Towards three o'clock the wind failed us and left us to contemplate 

 several rich and romantic valleys near the side of the ocean from four to ten 

 miles from Funchal, the capital of the island. 



Scarcely any sea-birds were seen. Towards evening the wind freshened 

 and at seven o'clock we anchored in the Bay of Funchal. We were visited 

 by boats from the Customs and Board of Health. The latter made 

 considerable noise as the captain had no bill of health from London. Fair 

 words and a good deal of courtesy had to be used before matters could 

 be adjusted. The number of souls on board, with all the usual formahties, 



