396 VOYAGE OP THE POTOMAC. [June, 
near the coast, it there ceases first in like manner, and is suc- 
ceeded by the northeast. 
Thus, it is evident, that the northeast and soutWest monsoons 
reign constantly to the north of the line, to the eastward as well 
as in the Gulf of Bengal and Sinde ; while the northwest and 
southeast monsoons to the east are confined to the south of the 
line, within the reach of the influence of New-Holland. 
In the present improved state of navigation, when not only the 
mariners are more skilful, but vessels better constructed and found 
than formerly ; furnished with chronometers, and other well-con- 
structed instruments, the merchant may undertake his voyage to 
India at almost any season of the year. But if he consider the 
expense incurred by delay, and the wear and tear of his ship, and 
wishes to avoid all the difficulties, inconveniences, and dangers 
' of contrary winds, let him keep in mind, that by sailing from the 
United States in the spring, and with good management, a voyage 
may be made in twelve weeks ; and that by embarking either 
much later or earlier, he may not arrive in less than four or five 
months ! 
By skilful navigators, a return voyage from India, in well-found 
ships, may be undertaken, in like manner, at nearly any season 
of the year ; but the most favourable time is from the beginning 
of October to the first of March. 
At the commencement of the northeast monsoon, favoured by 
both winds and currents, vessels will soon get clear of the Gulf 
of Sinde or the Gulf of Bengal, very probably cross the line 
with a fresh breeze, and not be detained by calms, between the 
monsoons and the southeast trade. December will be a good 
month to double the Cape of Good Hope ; and prevailing winds 
will be from the southeast, the fairest that can blow. To the west 
of the Cape, the wind will generally be light, but fair ; and in a 
few days, a vessel may gain the regular trade ; and crossing the 
equator in the latter part of January, the sun still far to the south- 
ward, the vessel is not likely to be detained by calms, provided 
she keeps about eighteen or twenty degrees west longitude from 
Greenwich. 
Such are the remarkable effects of some of those aerial cur- 
rents which distinguish the different hemispheres of our globe. 
Who can contemplate the subject without giving utterance to 
