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LETTER XIX. 



■Ceremony of cleaning and painting Wejl India Jhips. Feelings 

 of failors refpeBing the failing of their veffels. Tobacco an 

 univerfal cordial among failors » specimen of oeconomy in a 

 young far, Isegro ^economy, Baptifmal ceremony on crof- 

 ftng the tropic. Author and his comrades ivtrk at the cap" 

 flan» An accident happens to Dr. Cleghorn, Harpoons 

 and other tnjlruments prepared for flriking fiflj. Peculiar 

 habit of porpoifes. Sharks y dolphins^ and flying fifh ufed as^ 

 food, Stupidity of the Shark, Splendid appearance of a ffjoal 

 of dolphins* Remarks upon the fruBurCy and ^notion of 

 the wings of the flying fifh. Small flying fiflj an indication 

 of approaching the land, Temperature of the water of the 

 Atlantic, Lights produced by the Jhip at night. Small 

 rainbows upon the furface of the ocean. Appearance of the 

 fun and moon at Jea^ within the tropics, Wefl- India 

 Jky, Evening clouds, 



Barbadoes, Feb. 



Previous to our coming Into harbour, 

 from our late voyage, the fhip's company 

 was, for feveral days, bufily occupied In clean- 

 ing, painting, and adorning the veflel ; and 

 we learned that It is a general cuftom to 

 drefs the Weft India Ihlps in a new jacket, 

 during the fteady failing of running down the 

 trades, in order that they may appear clean, 



04 



