86 WANDERINGS IN 



Second Tliougli the calms, aiid storms, and adverse winds in 



Journey. 



these latitudes, are vexatious, still, when you reach the 



Trade winds trade wiuds, you are amply repaid for all disappointments 

 and inconveniences. The trade winds prevail about thirty 

 degrees on each side of the equator. This part of the ocean 

 may be called the Elysian Fields of Neptune's empire ; 

 and the torrid zone, notwithstanding Ovid's remark, " non 

 est habitabilis eestu," is rendered healthy and pleasant by 

 these gently -blowing breezes. The ship glides smoothly 

 on, and you soon find yourself within the northern tropic. 

 When you are on it. Cancer is just over your head, and 

 betwixt him and Capricorn is the high road of the Zodiac, 

 forty-seven degrees wide, famous for Phaeton's misad- 

 venture. His father begged and entreated him not to 

 take it into his head to drive parallel to the five zones, but 

 to mind and keep on the turnpike which runs obliquely 

 across the equator. " There you will distinctly see," said 

 he, " the ruts of my chariot wheels, ' manifesta rotse ves- 

 tigia cernes.' " "But," added he, " even suppose you 

 keep on it, and avoid the by-roads, nevertheless, my 

 dear boy, believe me, you will be most sadly put to your 

 shifts ; ' ardua prima via est,' the first part of the road 

 is confoundedly steep! ' ultima via prona est,' and after 

 that, it is all down hill ! Moreover, ' per insidias iter est, 

 formasque ferarum,' the road is full of nooses and bull- 

 dogs, ' Hsemoniosque arcus,' and spring-guns, ' ssevaque 

 circuitu, curvantem brachia longo, Scorpio,' and steel-traps 



