40 



i 



vases to measure the quantity of the evapora- 

 tion of liquids in the open air ; a mercurial 

 artificial horizon ; small Ley den phials, to be 

 charged by rubbing ; galvanic apparatus ; re- 

 agents to try some experiments on the chemi- 

 cal composition of mineral waters, and a great 

 number of small tools necessary for travellers 

 to repair such instruments as might be de- 

 ranged from the frequent falls of the beasts of 

 burden. 



We spent two days at Corunna, after our in- 

 struments were embarked. A thick fog, which 

 covered the horizon, at length indicated the 

 change of weather we so anxiously desired. On 

 the 4th of June, in the evening, the wind turned 

 to the north east, a point, which, on the coast of 

 Gallicia, is considered very constant during the 

 summer. The Pizarro prepared to sail on the 

 5th, though we had intelligence but a few hours 

 before, that an English squadron had been hail- 

 ed from the watch tower of Sisarga, appearing 

 to stand towards the mouth of the Tagus. Those 

 who saw our ship weigh anchor, asserted that 

 we should be captured in three days, and that, 

 forced to follow the fate of the vessel, we should 

 be carried to Lisbon. This prognostic gave us 

 the more uneasiness, as we had known some 

 Mexicans at Madrid, who, in order to return to 

 Vera- Cruz, had embarked three times at Cadiz, 



