Nov.] GOUGH'S ISLAND. 355 



of the above-named population. Glass gave a very favourable account 

 of the island, and declared that if they had but a few more women, 

 the place would be an earthly paradise. He is a sort of governor at 

 Tristan d'Acunha, by appointment of the rest, on account of his mili- 

 tary character ; and he trades in a small schooner to the Cape of Good 

 Hope, with the oil of the sea-elephant and the skins of the seal, which 

 they catch in great abundance." 



At the time that we touched at this island, on the 15th of Novem- 

 ber, 1829, we found seven families, living very comfortably under the ad- 

 ministration of Governor Glass, having for sale a plenty of bullocks, cows, 

 sheep, hogs, goats, rabbits, and poultry ; also potatoes, cabbages, beets, 

 parsnips, carrots, Onions, and pumpkins ; together with butter, cheese, 

 eggs, and milk : all of which can be had at shorf notice, on moderate 

 erms, and in any quantities. Some of the invalids of the Antarctic 

 pronounced this island to be " a land flowing with milk and honey." 

 The inhabitants were very friendly, accommodating, and hospitable ; 

 and expressed their sympathy for the situation of my crew, not so much 

 in words as in actions. They pressed upon me many little palatable 

 dainties, with a disinterestedness and delicacy which did them honour. 

 I hope to call and see them again. 



November Ylth. — On Monday, the 16th, at 7, P. M., we left the 

 island of Tristan d'Acunha, and steered to the south and east, with a 

 moderate breeze from west-south-west, and fair weather ; and on Tues- 

 day, the 17th (nautical time), at 5, A. M., we were close in with 

 Gough's Island, or Diego Alvarez, as it was originally named by the 

 Portuguese who discovered it. In 1713 it was seen by Captain 

 Charles Gough, in the Richmond, bound to China ; since which it has 

 been called by his name. In 1811, on the 8th of January, it was 

 visited by Captain Heywood, in the Nereus, who situated the centre 

 of the island in latitude 49° 19' 30" S., and in longitude 9° 49' W. I 

 agree with him in the latitude ; but we differ in the longitude, as I 

 make the east point of the island in long. 9° 41' W. 



The summit of this island, according to Captain Heywood's calcula- 

 tion, is four thousand three hundred and eighty feet above the level of 

 the sea ; the surface being mostly covered with a light coat of mossy 

 grass. In some places were a few small bushy trees, like those of 

 Tristan d'Acunha. " The cliffs rise precipitously from the sea, and 

 from their fissures issue several beautiful cascades of water." On the 

 north side of the island, a little to the eastward of one of the rocky 

 islets which adjoin that side of the main island, is a small cove, in 

 which boats may land with perfect safety, when the wind blows from 

 any point south of north-west or east. Here water may be obtained 

 with ease, by running the vessel close in to the front of the cove, where 

 she can anchor in twelve or fourteen fathoms, with the huts at the 

 head of the cove bearing south-south-west, and the north and eastern- 

 most islet bearing about north-west. There is a safe passage between 

 these islets and the main island, with fifteen fathoms of water, over a 

 rocky bottom. 



There is a rock near the north-east point of the island, which ex- 

 actly resembles a church, having an elevated spire on its western end ; 



16 



