HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
349 
saw the sea break; but though its extent is not clearly determined, as its latitude on 
the southernmost side is known to be 7 0 30", it will be proper, in order to avoid all 
danger, to pass it only in the day. 
“ When you have gained 5 0 of latitude, you will take your course to the north¬ 
east, towards the Equinoctial line; and afterwards to the points of the wind, which 
will suit the place of your destination. 
Course from the Cape of Good Hope to India , &c. 
“ In the instructions how to proceed from the Cape of Good Hope, or from the 
soundings of the Rank des Aiguilles , to the Isle of France, I have advised to get to 
the eastward on the parallel between 33 0 and 36° of latitude, till by 5 5 0 of longitude, 
and not to gain the latitude of 27 0 , but under the meridian of the Isle Rodriguez , in 
order to prevent any great errors in the reckoning: but as in the present case the 
object is to make the latter, it is necessary to take precautions relative to its situation, 
in getting more to the east, and proceeding afterwards so as to get, according to the 
reckoning, eighty leagues to windward of that island. 
44 As a sight of Rodriguez is essential to the course that is here proposed, when 
you are at its height, and certain, from the variation, that you are to the east of it, 
you will steer to the west, in order to make it. 
44 On being five or six leagues to the east of this island, you will make good your 
course north by north-east, in order to pass to the east of Corgados Garayos , the shoal 
Saint Brandon , and the Rank of Saya de Malta. This course may then be con¬ 
tinued to the Equinoctial line, and from thence, ordered in such a manner as the final 
destination of the voyage may require. 
44 In making this course, it is necessary to attend with great vigilance to the ap¬ 
proach of the latitude of the islands, and the dangers that may be encountered, as, 
during the season of the south-east winds to the south of the line, tire currents run 
towards the west, and frequently to the north-west. The island known in these seas is 
that of Roquepiz , situate in io° 30' latitude; and the only memoir respecting it, is 
the account which John Davis has given of it, in the journal of James Lancaster, who 
commanded four English ships, in 1601. He says, that having left the Ray of 
Autongil , on the 6th of March, and traversing this Archipelago, he found himself 
on the 16th, in sight of the island of Roquepiz, of whose beauty and appearance he 
gives an animated description. The boats which were sent to discover an anchorage 
