12 JOURNAL OF A 
Whenever it cleared up, tlie Peak of Teneriffc, at about eighty 
miles distance, appeared beautifully lodged among clouds pass- 
ing along its middle and lower region. Palma, another of the Ca- 
nary islands, was also in sight; but our hopes of a change disap- 
peared towards evening, and, except two or three light breezes of 
short duration, the calm continued. The appearance of the sky 
at sunset was marvellously grand. Large masses of clouds, in 
lines, shaded with a bright blueish grey colour, showing through 
various openings the brilhant orange, purple, and greenish tints of 
the unclouded atmosphere beyond them, hovered above the westera 
horizon, which, down to the edge of the sea, glowed with the most 
vivid gold and crimson hue. This grand picture Avas reflected by 
numberless short rippling waves, as far as the eye could reach. 
Above , the dark mass of clouds a bright purple tinged the heavens 
as high as the zenith. All seemed stationary and silent, no wind 
whatever accompanying the clouds. In these latitudes, we had fre- 
quently a similar display of beauty in the evening sky. 
26"th. A breeze sprung up, but not in our favour. We tacked to 
the north-west and south-east all day. The islands were becloud- 
ed; though now and then Teneriffe with its Peak shewed itself 
parlially uncovered. The heat was excessive, but the breeze made 
it bearable. I was engaged in reading a German translation of 
Barrow's account of his travels through the Cape colony, which, 
as formerly, afforded me much pleasure and instruction. Pie has 
made honourable mention of our settlement at Bavian's Kloof, 
now called Gnadenthal, which in 1798 was yet in its infancy. To a 
botanist. Lis work is peculiarly valuable. 
28th. ^Ve passed so close to the westward of Palma, that we 
could distinctly discern every object on shore. When the day 
dawned, its summit was covered with thick morning clouds and va- 
pours. As they ascended or withdrew, the precipitous declivities 
of the mountains and rocks opened to view. The sun, rising be- 
hind the island, soon dispelled the clouds, and illumined its upper 
regions, the outline of which exhibited rocky ridges and glens, ap- 
