36 
A VOYAGE TO 
[From Madeira. 
isoi. pass on the binnacle had shown nearly 4 0 too much west variation, 
W?dn2f H. when the ship's head was at west ; but here, it gives at least s° too 
much, with the head in an opposite direction ! This difference in the 
two hemispheres merits particular notice ; it is part of a series of 
apparent anomalies in the compass which have hitherto remained 
unaccounted for; but which seem reducible to one general cause, as J 
have attempted to show in the Appendix No. II. to the second volume. 
Friday 16. At daybreak of the 16th, we expected to see the high land of 
the Cape ; but the weather being hazy, it could not be distinguished 
until eight o'clock, when it bore north-east, eight leagues ; being 
three leagues more than Earnshaw's pocket time keeper, in which we 
had most confidence, led us to expect, and four miles less than was 
given by my uncorrected lunar observations of the 14th p. m., 
brought forward by the time keeper. 
At this time we had not a single person in the sick list, both 
officers and men being fully in as good health, as when we sailed 
from Spithead. I had begun very early to put in execution the 
beneficial plan, first practised and made known by the great captain 
Cook. It was in the standing orders of the ship, that on every fine 
day the deck below and the cockpits should be cleared, washed, 
aired with stoves, and sprinkled with vinegar. On wet and dull 
days they were cleaned and aired, without washing. Care was taken 
to prevent the people from sleeping upon deck, or lying down in 
their wet clothes ; and once in every fortnight or three weeks, as 
circumstances permitted, their beds, and the contents of their chests 
and bags, were opened out and exposed to the sun and air. On the 
Sunday and Thursday mornings, the ship's company was mustered, 
and every man appeared clean shaved and dressed ; and when the 
evenings were fine, the drum and fife announced the fore castle to 
be the scene of dancing ; nor did I discourage other playful amuse- 
ments which might occasionally be more to the taste of the sailors, 
and were not unseasonable. 
Within the tropics, lime juice and sugar were made to suffice 
