1831.] 
DEPARTURE FROM RIO. 
59 
CHAPTER IV. 
Departure from Rio Janeiro — Glorious Sunset at Sea — A white Squall — A Man 
Overboard — A narrow Escape — Cape of Good Hope — Arrival of the Potomac at 
Cape-Town — Table Bay, with Sailing Directions — First Discovery of the Cape 
by Diaz — Origin of the Colony — Description of the Town — State of the Press, 
Literature, and Education — Climate, Clouds, and Vapours. 
On Saturday, the fifth of November, the stores of the Potomac 
having been completely replenished, and time not permitting 
longer delay, orders were given to get under way early in the 
morning. The anchor was weighed at daylight ; but as the 
breeze continued light and baffling, the harbour was not cleared 
until late in the forenoon. 
In addition to the boats of the Potomac, which were sent 
ahead to tow the ship, others from the several men-of-war in the 
harbour were sent to proffer their assistance ; and among these, 
one from his Britannic Majesty's frigate Druid. Her commander, 
Captam Hamilton, has been long known in naval life, in which 
he ranks high for nautical skill, and for his urbanity of manners 
and gentlemanly deportment. 
The bows of the Potomac were now laid close tb the wind, to 
the east ; and conjecture, even among the crew, as to her desti- 
nation, seemed at an end. The Cape of Good Hope, Sumatra, 
East Indies, and round the world, to South America, were in the 
mouth of every one ; while the prospect of passing through new 
scenes, and encountering new adventures, a little out of the beaten 
track, gave rise to feelings which seemed to pervade and animate 
all on board. 
A passage from Rio Janeiro to the Cape of Good Hope, how- 
ever, over a track of ocean which has for centuries been the 
common highway of nations, cannot be expected to abound with 
novelty or interest. The logbook tells of continued headwinds 
— irregular head and cross seas — and, south of latitude 29°, of 
falling in with whale-ships, and every day encountering the right, 
or black whale, so called in contradistinction to the spermaceti 
whale, which is so much more highly prized, on account of its 
