Chapter XII (1)

_That no Officer or Servant employed in the Business or Service of
this Charity, shall receive any Salary, Reward, or other Gratuity,
for his Pains or Service in the Affairs of the said Charity, but
that the whole Business thereof shall be transacted_ Gratis.

_Secondly_, Of the different Seas we traverse.

The _Mediterranean_, from the Climate, Fertility, and Beauty of the Countries bordering on it, claims the Preference, I think, of all Seas; and recompenses more largely the Fatigues of a Voyage. What is peculiar, and makes them more than others pleasant, is, _First_, the Temperature of their Air, neither too hot nor cold, but a pleasant Mediocrity, that is, Spring or Summer all the Year. _Secondly_, Being of a moderate Compass: A Man by a little conversing with Maps, fixes an Idea of his Distances, his Stages from Place to Place, and may measure them over in his Head with the same Facility he would a Journey from _London_ to _York_. _Thirdly_, Thus acquainted with the daily Progress, our Approaches please in a Proportion to the Danger and Wants we go from, and the Remedy and Port we go to. _Leghorn_, _Genoa_, _Naples_, &c. have their different Beauties. _Fourthly_, The confining Lands on the _European_ and _African_ Side being mountainous, and the Sea interspersed with Islands, gives these Priorities to main Oceans, _viz._ that you cannot be long out of sight of some Land or other, and those flowing with Milk and Honey, no ordinary Comfort, excepting when they are _Lee_ Shores. _Secondly_, If the Hills be to Windward, they take off the Force of strong Winds, and make a smooth Sea. And _thirdly_, The same Hills to _Leeward_, do by their Height give a Check to Storms; the Air stagnating by their Interposition, I have observed frequently in shore, to become a gentle Gale.

_Lastly_, The greatest Pleasure of those Seas, is visiting Towns and Countrys that have been worthy History; the most famous do somewhere or other border there, and have given birth to the greatest Men and greatest Actions. _Greece_, that was the Mother of Arts and Sciences, the Oracle of the World, that brought forth a _Homer_, _Socrates_, _Alexander_, &c. and was one of the four great Empires, stands to those Seas (though changed now to _European Turky_, by a Progress as wonderful) so does _Italy_, the Seat of the last universal Empire. That _Rome_, which subjected almost all the Kings and Kingdoms of the known World, gave _Britain_ Laws, and left every where eternal Monuments of their Power and Magnificence: Here lived _Virgil_, _Horace_, _Cæsar_——Hither some say St. _Paul_ made his Voyage, having coasted along _Crete_, and suffered Shipwreck at _Malta_, Islands famous here, the one being the Birth-place of _Jupiter_, the other for a renowned Order of Knights, the professed Defenders of Christianity against the _Turk_.

Volcanos, Catacombs, Triumphal Arches, and Pillars, Baths, Aqueducts, and Amphitheatres, are peculiar Curiosities of _Italy_. There is scarcely a Spot in that delicious Country, but is recorded for some remarkable Occurrence; is memorable for High-ways, Grottos, Lakes, Statues, Monuments, some Victory gained, or Battle lost, the Birth or Death of _Cæsar_ or his Friends. On the _African_ Side, stands or did stand, _Carthage_, _Troy_, _Tyre_, _Nice_, _Ephesus_, _Antioch_, _Smyrna_; and on that shore was once Christianity firmly planted (no less than 300 Bishops being expelled thence;) but alas how all things change! neither Greatness nor Virtue can exempt from Mortality: Towns, Countries, and Religions, have their Periods.

_Thebes_, _Nineveh_, &c. are now no more.

_Oppida posse mori,
Si quæras Helicen & Burin, Achaidas Urbes,
Invenies sub Aquis._

They have a determined Time to flourish, decay, and die in. Corn grows where _Troy_ stood: _Carthage_ is blotted out. _Greece_ and her Republicks (_Athens_, _Sparta_, _Corinth_,) with other fam’d _Asian_ and _African_ Cities the _Turkish_ Monarchy has overturned. Their Magnificence, Wealth, Learning, and Worship, is changed into Poverty and Ignorance; and _Rome_, the Mother of all, overrun with Superstition. Who, on the one hand, but feels an inexpressible Pleasure in treading over that Ground, he supposes such Men inhabited, whose Learning and Virtues have been the Emulation of all succeeding Ages? And who again but must mourn such a melancholly Transposition of the Scene, and spend a few funeral Reflections over such extraordinary _Exequiæ_: Perhaps the Revolution of as many Ages, as has sunk their Glory, may raise it again, or carry it to the _Negroes_ and _Hottentots_, and the present Possessors be debased.

The next pleasant Sailing to the _Mediterranean_, is that part of the _Atlantick_, Southern, Pacifick, South, or _Indian_ Seas, that are within the Limits of a _Trade-Wind_; because such Winds are next to invariable, of such moderate Strength as not to raise heavy Seas, or strain a Ship; no Storms at Distance from Land; and equal Days and Nights.

The _Atlantick_, and Southern Ocean, without the Limits of this _Trade-Wind_, that is, from 30 to 60°° of Latitude, are far the worst for Navigation; wide, rough, and boisterous Seas, more subject to Clouds, Storm, and Tempest, variable Weather; long, dark, cold Nights, and less delightful Countries and Climates out of _Europe_.

_Lastly_, Beyond 60 Degrees of Latitude we have little Commerce, and the Seas less frequented; the Countries growing more and more inhospitable, as Latitude and Cold increases towards the Pole; however, Men who have used _Greenland_, tell me, those inclement Skies contain no other Vapors, than Mist, Sleet, and Snow; the Sea less ruffled with Winds, which blow for the most part Northerly, towards the Sun, _i. e._ towards a more rarified Air, seen in those Drifts of Ice from thence, that are found far to the Southward, both on the _European_ and _American_ side. Another Advantage to cheer the Winter’s Melancholy of Northern Regions, is the Moon’s shining a Length proportioned to the Absence of the Sun; so that where he is entirely lost, she[2] never sets, but with reflected and resplendent Light on Ice and Snow, keeps up their Consolation.

In all Seas are met numerous Incidents and Appearances, worthy our Reflection. I have therefore gone on to Observations more instructive and amusing. If the Solutions are not every where Standard, they may strike out Hints to better Capacities; among those, I can perceive _two_ more liable to Objection.

_First_, The _Pythagorean_ Soliloquy I set out with (p. 18.) which may be deemed too foreign for the Subject: To which I answer——A Voyage to Sea is a Type of that dark and unknown one we are to make in Death: Wherefore it is not unnatural with a _Departure from the Land’s End of England, shooting_ into an _Abyss_ of Waters, to consider a little on that Life, which lost is a _Departure_ from the _World’s End_, and to launch into a greater _Abyss_, Eternity;—The Principle, _in what is material of us_, I think, highly consonant to Reason, and continues still the Doctrine of the Eastern Sages.

_Diversæ autem corpora formæ non sunt nisi diversæ modificationes
ejusdem materiæ_, &c.

(_Keil_ de legibus naturæ.)

_E. G._ Vapors condensed to Rain, we see descend on Earth; and both enter and pass into the Seeds and Forms of all Plants. From them, either taken alone, or amassed in animal Food, is what constitutes and repairs by a daily Eating, our own Bodies; which if there be any Trust to Sense or Reason, moulds, decays, and turns again to Dust and Air, in order for Regeneration.

What only can destroy this Philosophy (as I observe at that place) and maintain a Resurrection of the _same_ Body, is Revelation, and the Immortality of the Soul; for Sameness, or Identity then, will not consist in the same individual Particles being united, that makes our Bodies here, (which we are sure are continually fluctuating, and changing while we live;) but on that Consciousness which the immaterial Part will give, though joined to Matter, taken from the Top of _Olympus_.

_Secondly_, The Denial of _Canibals_ against the Authority of _grave_ Authors, has proceeded from a Persuasion, that the Charge carries the highest Reproach on Humanity, and the Creator of it. My Aim, therefore, was to shew in the best manner I could, that the Accusation every where has probably proceeded from _Fear_ in some, to magnify the Miracle of escaping an inhospitable and strange Country, and from _Design_ in others, to justify Dispossession, and arm Colonies with Union and Courage against the _supposed Enemies of Mankind_. Conquest and Cruelty, by that means go on with pleasure on the People’s side, who are persuaded they are only subduing of brutish Nature, and exchanging, for their mutual Good, SPIRITUAL for TEMPORAL INHERITANCES. By particular and private Men, this may have been fixed on a People, to allay some base or villainous Actions of their own, that could not any other way be excused, or bear the Light: And for this, I appeal to the discerning part of our Traders, acquainted with _Guinea_, whether they do not think the Reports of Cape _St. Mary_’s Inhabitants, Cape _Mont_, _Montzerado_, _Drewin_, and _Callabar_, down-right Falsities, and impolitick ones; for the multiplying of Places, like Plots, in a great measure destroys the Use of them.

At the _Caribbees_ again, it is full as preposterous; for on small Islands, had their Women bred like Rabbits, they must have been desolated Ages before the _Europeans_ Arrival; unless we can suppose human Flesh was eat only on their Feast-Days; or that they just commenced Monsters upon our Discovery.——_La Hontan_, or some other _French_ Translation I have read, talking of _Canibals_ bordering on _Canada_, flies into a strange _Gallicism_, and makes them commend the Flesh of a _Frenchman_ (sad Partiality) in Eating, as of finer Taste than that of an _Englishman_.

These, with _Europeans_ neglecting to charge the _East-Indians_ thus, who have more Power than simple _Americans_ or _Negroes_ to resent the Indignity and Reproach, makes me disbelieve the whole of what I have hitherto heard; and that the true _Anthropophagi_ are only the diverse Insects infesting us in diverse Countries; the _Pediculose_ Kind do not live in hot Climates; instead thereof, they are assaulted with a ravenous Fly called _Muskito_; Legions that live wild in the Woods, and seize with every Opportunity, human Flesh, like Lions.

* * * * *

As there is a strict Regard to Truth observed throughout the whole, it is apprehended the following Sheets will be not only amusing, but useful.

A
VOYAGE
TO
_Guinea_, _Brasil_, and the _West-Indies_;

In His Majesty’s Ships, the _Swallow_,
and _Weymouth_, &c.

We took in eight Months Provisions each, at _Portsmouth_; Stores, Careening-Geer, and Necessaries requisite to continue us a double Voyage down the Coast of _Guinea_, for meeting, if possible, with the Pyrates; who did then very much infest those Parts, and destroy our Trade and Factories. Accordingly the Company’s Governors for _Gambia_ and other Places, embark’d under our Convoy, and were to have what Support we could give them, in restoring the Credit of the _Royal African Company_; which begun now to take new life under the Influence of the Duke of _Chandois_.

For this Purpose we set sail from _Spithead_ _February_ 5th, 1720/1.

It is a Pleasure we have beyond the Merchant-Service in sailing, that we are forbid Commerce. When Men of War have no other Lading than Provisions and Necessaries, the Duty of Sailors is eased, and their Conveniencies better; whereas Cargoes, besides dishonouring the Commission, and unfitting the King’s Ships for Action, stifle and sicken a Ship’s Company in warm Climates, impose hard Services, and spoil the Trade of the Merchant they are designed to encourage, and expect a Gratuity from; because Labour and Freight free, they can afford to undersel.

In the Evening from six to nine, we saw those Appearances in the Sky called _Capræ saltantes_, by the Sailors _Morrice-Dancers_; they are Streams of Light that suddenly shoot into one another, and disappear for a Minute or two; yet shifting their Stations _within the Quarter_, in so quick and surprizing a manner as might easily deceive superstitious Times into a belief of Armies in the Air; _these_, the _Scintillæ volantes_, and such like nitrous Exhalations, having given rise, it’s probable, to all those Prodigies the Air has heretofore in _impious_ Times abounded with.

The _Western_ Extremity of _England_ that we are now passing by, has been supposed, from the equal Depth of Water found there, from Doors, Windows, and Roots of Trees, formerly (_it’s said_) hooked up by Fishermen, to have been in Ages past continuous with the rocky little Islands of _Scilly_, by a Land called _Lioness_. When I consider the Changes Earthquakes and Inundations have made, and continue insensibly to make on all the different Coasts of the Earth, losing in some places, and gaining in others; and what new Islands have now and then been thrust up on the surface of the Waters by Streams and Currents, subterranean Winds and Fires; the thing does not appear to me altogether conjectural: the Rocks seem now with terrible accent to lament the reparation. Who knows but we likewise are severing eternally from our Friends! it is a Voyage we shall at some time or other make; and those solitary Rocks that bound the last sight to our Homes and Countries, naturally bring to my mind some Reflections on the subject.

Whether when we have shut up this Life we shall remain resolved into our Elements; revive again in some Plant or Animal; or thirdly, be reinstated Soul and Body into Glory, is an Enquiry worthy our utmost Concern and Diligence; as it will sweeten the imbittered Potions of Life, make us patient under Afflictions, and even easy on this treacherous Element the Sea; whom none ought to trust; but they who have a Faith in Providence.

Immortality has been the Ambition of the greatest and wisest Men that have lived, and indeed who would not in the satiety of worldly Objects seek out and desire such a prerogative to his Soul? The Philosophers, rather than lose so comfortable a prospect, have placed it in an Existence that can never concern our Happiness or Misery as Men: The Princes of them having made it to subsist in the universal Soul of the World; from whence, say they, are struck out Scintillations to every thing that has Life; and in Death, what was Elementary, returned to its proper station, and what was Divine in us, to what is Divine in the Universe: a _Metempsychosis_ or Transmigration continuing the World on in the order we see it.

When I ponder on the natural Cause of our Being ... On the Necessity of that Cause to produce us, and what the material Agent is ... On our gradual Advances and Decay; both in respect to Body and Soul ... The Soul’s sympathizing with the disorders of the Body ... Our Sleeps and total Forgetfulness ... Our Susceptibility of Madness or Idiocy, and _hebridous_ Productions, especially that of Man with Beast; I am tempted to think this the most plausible of all Philosophical Opinions, in relation to our future Existence, that we are not Creatures of that consequence we imagine; our Natures neither deserving, nor should they expect in reason any other Immortality than what other Creatures enjoy in their Seed and Transmigration. This Doctrine is what the _Eastern_ Sages, reverenced for their Wisdom, do still propagate, and teach the Heterodox a Lesson of Humility, _That Pride was not made for Man_: but at the same time it makes me superstitiously fear and abhor a Grave of Waters; which I fancy will subside us too far from the _Sun_, whose Power is the chief Principle to revive us again in some Plant or Animal on our native Element: which will be such perhaps as, in our Life-time, our Senses were familiar and delighted with; and for which, we had a sympathetical Affection and Tendency to. But then granting the Doctrine, I am considering what the Advantage of such a belief can be to us as Men? Why none. Our personal Identity must be destroyed in the first Transmigration, much more in an infinite Succession; and we (_as we_) can never after this Life be affected with either Pleasure or Pain. I am therefore on the whole fond of _Revelation_, and wish that to be Truth which ascribes such Power to Faith, _That it can remove Mountains_: and therefore, with its fruits concurring, may raise us into immortal Spirits, translate us to Bliss, even without passing through the horrors of Death.

That an Almighty Power can subsist us to Eternity, we are very sure; and that he will do it, I say let it be our Happiness, that we have the Promises of his Gospel; for here only can be a remedy to all worldly Cares; and wherever Death o’er takes us, whether this _Voyage or next_, so we be upon our _Watch_, it will _transport_ us to a _Port_ and Treasure fixed. It will free us from _Rocks, Sands, and tempestuous Seas, and anchor us in a Haven of Felicity_.

* * * * *

The Gale with which we left _England_, carried us the length of Cape [3]_Finisterre_ into serener Weather, and Sun-shine; but there we met with continued Westerly Winds (very unusual to the Coast of _Portugal_) which prolonged our Passage. A Day or two’s sail from _Madeira_, we fell in with Commodore _Matthews_, in the _Lion_, bound with a Squadron of four Sail to the _East-Indies_, on the like Service with ours to _Africa_, viz. _the Suppression of Pyrates_.

Abundance of Sea-weed floated about us at 40 Leagues distance, and continued a constant float till we reached the Island; an Argument that the bottom of the Sea, especially where the Depths are decreasing towards any Shore, have a Cloathing of Plants, which are probably the common Nutriment of large Fish. This our _Divers_ in Pearl, and Coral-fishing, have confirmed to 8 or 10 Fathom water; and this, I think, the present Observation proves to be in greater Depths; _1st_, Because the Unwieldiness of some, and the manner of being provided for Mastication in others, declares Ruminating, and not Prey, to be the way of Subsistence in many. _2dly_, There is a greater Resort toward Shores, than in the distant Ocean, and perhaps, like many little Fish in our own Channels, they may have their Seasons of Rotation, and their Grazing, the Cause of unrooting and throwing it up here. _3dly_, _Porpoises_ play about us daily in Shoals, the most familiar great Fish in the _Atlantick_, and at all Parts of it: They tumble most upon a rough Surface, and against the Wind. Sailors observing these _Porpoises_, say, they portend Storms. The _Latins_ call them _Porci marini_, from some Resemblance to the Hog, in it’s Entrails and Bigness, (weighing several Hundred.) These Fish, as they are very numerous, never enticed to the Hook, wasting many of their hours in play, and gradually lessening from Shore, shew they know readily where to make their Meals at the bottom of the Sea, tho’ at other times they certainly prey on smaller and particular Species of Fish: _These_ their _Feasts_, it’s like, and _That_ their ordinary Diet.

_MADEIRA._

This Island, at the first Discovery of it by the _Portuguese_, about the Year 1420, was over-run with _Wood_, whence it’s Name. Divided to the two Discoverers, they set the Woods on fire, which _Travellers say_ burnt seven Years; the Ashes giving a vast Fertility to their Sugar-Canes, at the first Planting; till a Worm getting into the Cane, spoiled the Increase, _&c._ so that it is now entirely planted with Vines brought originally from _Candia_, which yield the strongest Wines: That called _Malmsey_ is a rich Cordial, the best made at the Jesuit’s Garden in _Fonchial_. Their Vintage is in _September_ and _October_, and make about 25000 Pipes.

Others say, one _Mecham_ an _Englishman_, in a Voyage to _Spain_ was drove on this Island before the Discovery above: That his Crew sailed without him and his Mistress; whom he buried here, left an Inscription on her Tomb, and then in a Canoo of his own building sailed to _Barbary_; the King presenting him as a Prodigy to the King of _Castile_: From whole Account, the _Spaniard_ soon after made conquest of the neighbouring _Canary_ Islands. The Island is rocky Mountains, with an Intermixture of little fruitful Plains. The highest Parts, Goat-herds and Woods; the Middle, Kitchen-Gardens; and the Bottom, Vineyards. The Roads bad, which makes them bring their Wines to town in Hog-skins upon Asses; a brownish and a red sort, the latter called _Vino tinto_, being according to common report stained with _Tint_, tho’ they assure you it is the natural Grape. They are almost all _limed_, a Preservative against the excessive Heats of the _West-Indies_, where they are for the most part transported by us, and where no other Wine keeps well.

Trade is carried on by Bartering, 40 or 50 _per Cent._ being allowed on an Invoice of Provisions, Cloaths, or Houshold-Goods; of the former sort, Bread, Beef, Pork, Pilchard, Herring, Cheese, Butter, Salt, and Oil, are first in demand. The next are dry Goods, Hats, Wigs, Shirts, Stockings, Kersys, Sagathys, Crapes, Says, Shalloons, and Broadcloths, particularly Black Suits, the usual wear of the _Portuguese_. The last and least in Expence are Escrutores, Chairs, Pewter, Post-Paper, Counting-books, _&c._ For these you have in Exchange their Wine at 30 _Millrays_ a Pipe; the _Malmsey_, 60. each _Millray_ in present Pay 6_s._ 8_d._ in Bills 6_s._ What other little Traffick I had, stands as _per_ Margin.[4]

There is one Caution to be observed; That as there is not much dishonour in Trade to take advantage of a Chapman’s Weakness, it is prudent to see the Wines you have tasted shipped forthwith, or it is odds but the Stranger finds them adulterated: So that altho’ they seem to allow a good Interest on your Goods; yet the Badness of your Wine, or (if good) broke at their Price, lessens the supposed Advantage. Some Goods at particular times, bear an extraordinary Price; not so much by a Call of the Island, as of _Brasil_, whither they are again exported.

_Fonchial_ is the chief Town of the Island, the Residence of the Governour and Bishop: Is large and populous, has five or six Churches; three Nunneries, not so strict as at _Lisbon_, we conversing and trading for Toys with them every day; and as many _Convents of Fathers_. That of the Jesuits has at present in it only seventeen; a neat handsome Building and Chappel: this _Order_ being in all Catholick Countries the most respected for their Learning and Riches. Wherever you find a College of them, you may be sure there is good Living. The other Inhabitants consist of a mixed Race; _Portuguese_, _Blacks_, and _Molattoes_, who are civil, courteous, and equally respected in Trade; the _Portuguese_ no where abroad scrupling an Alliance with darker Colours.

They keep no regular Market, but the Country brings in according as they think will be the Demand at any time: Kid, Pork, and now and then a lean Heifer, Cabbages, Lemons, Oranges, Walnuts, Figs, Yams, Bananoes, _&c._ There is one Curiosity I found in their Gardens called _the everlasting Flower_, never fading after gathered, or indiscernibly, in many Years; the Herb is like Sage growing, and the Flower like Camomil: I laid by several of them, and found at twelve Months end they were just of the same freshness as when gathered.

_Fonchial_ Road is very open and unsafe against West and S. W. Winds; deep Water also, that there is no anchoring but at the West End, and that in 40 Fathom, a Mile or Mile and half off Shore: So that when a Swell from those Quarters gives notice of a Gale coming, all Ships in the Road slip their Cables and to Sea, returning at a more favourable season for their lading: Which likewise, by an extraordinary Surf on the Beach, becomes troublesome to ship off; commonly done by swimming the Pipes off to the Lanch, or lade on the Beach, and run her with many hands into the Sea. The like trouble Boats have in Watering (by a River at the W. End of the Town) and is most commodiously done before the Sea-breeze comes in.

The _Loo_ makes a tolerable Harbour for small Vessels against Westerly Winds, that would be unsafe _without_. They make fast their Cable to a high Rock called the _Loo_, whereon is a Fort; but when the Winds veer, opening their Heads to the Sea, all Hands go on Shore, and leave the Ship and Storm to contest it by themselves.

Their Lodgings on shore are as uneasy to Strangers, as the _Road_ to Ships; being prodigiously pestered with Bugs and Fleas. Cotts upon the Floors, is the common way of laying.

Their Strength is in the Militia, computed at 18000 disciplin’d and loyal Fellows; They, the _Azores_, and _Cape De Verd_ Islands soon returning to their Allegiance, after that Revolution in _Portugal_, 1640.

Before I leave _Madeira_, I must relate the surprizing Account just arrived here by several Masters of Vessels, Eye-witnesses of a new Island which sprung out of the Sea the 20th of _November_ last, 17 Leagues S. E. from _Terceira_, one of the Western Islands.

The Master who took a Survey of it by order from the Governour of _Terceira_, lays it down, a League long, a Mile broad, a little above the surface of the Water, and smoking like a _Volcano_. After the Eruption, the Sea for several Leagues round was covered with Pumice-stone, and half-broiled Fish. I was curious to know what Symptoms (if any) had preceded this Prodigy at the other Islands; and learned that _Pico_, one of them, a noted _Volcano_, had ceased to burn for some time, and that they had felt a Shock or two of an Earthquake that had done considerable damage. _Corvo_, an Island in this Neighbourhood ([5]_Albert de Mandelzo_ tells us) started up also in such manner, _June_ 16, 1628. And History relates the like in the _Archipelago_.

That new Islands should be formed in Rivers, as at the Conflux of the _Save_ with the _Danube_, or Sands shifting in any Channels, may be from the Swiftness of the Streams, wasting some and raising others; but that this Effect should happen in deep Water, 50 or 60 Miles from Shore, is truly wonderful: The Phænomenon seems best resolved here, by subterranean Fires, which from a great Depth and Extent have their Vents at _Volcanoes_; and as the Consumption of their Materials is more, the nigher they are such Vents (observable in _Italy_, _Iceland_, &c.) so their Effects in the neighbourhood of Waters (when by any Accident the Mouth is stopp’d, and they meet) must be Concussions of the Earth, blowing the Mountains away in Cinders; and now and then in Ages, such a Wonder as a new Island, the same as we see (if we may compare great things with small) in several Chymical Preparations. _This_ Island has settled, and probably by the Spunginess of its Materials, may sink in a few Years out of sight again. The ultimate End, is perhaps to strike Mankind with a Dread of Providence, and warn a sinful World against the Consequences of angry Omnipotence: Men generally taking a deeper Impression from something new and wonderful in Nature, than in the Creation or Conservation of the World it self.

_CANARIES._

From _Madeira_ we sailed by the _Canary_ Islands, belonging to the _Spaniards_, and taken by them in 1418.

_Palma_, remarkable for rich Wines, making 12000 Pipes _per Annum_.

_Ferro_, or _Ferrara_, for our Navigators taking their first Meridian from thence, there being none, or the least Variation; and for a _Volcano_ that now and then breaks out upon it. One in _November_ 1677, seen five Days; and in 1692 broke out again with Earthquakes, and seen six Weeks together: There is also, our Voyages say, a wonderful Tree on it, forty Foot high, that condenses the Clouds in such quantity, as to supply the want of Springs.

_Grand Canary_, the chief Residence for Governours and Consuls; and _Teneriff_, for its noted _Pike_, thought from the shewing it self singly, to be the highest Land in the World. It is a Pyramidal Heap of rough Rocks piled thus (it’s thought by Naturalists) from some subterraneous Conflagration that burst out heretofore.

The Ancients called them _Insulæ fortunatæ_; it’s likely from the Interception they may have given to the Destruction of Coasters blown off, before the use of the Compass: Cape _Non_ on the Continent being the utmost of their Navigation.

_Cape de VERD Islands,_

Denominated from the Cape, always green: They were anciently called _Hesperides_; the Diminutive of _Spain_, called heretofore _Hesperia, propterea quod hæc regio, omnium extrema, sit a sit ad Occidentem_; _Hesperus_, the Evening Star, by a Metaphor signifying the West.

They are inhabited by _Portuguese_, who welcome all sort of Ships (of good, or ill Design) bound to _Guinea_, _India_, _Brasil_, or the _West-Indies_; they frequently putting in here to furnish themselves with fresh Provisions, exchanged for Trifles; chiefly at _St. Iägo_ (_James_) the principal, which has three or four Forts, and where resides the Governour. In several of these Islands there are natural Salt Ponds, kerning great quantities without trouble. The most noted by the _English_ is _Maio_, or the Isle of _May_, where many of our Ships lade in Summer; and was, with _Tangier_, and _Bombay_ in _India_, Part of Q. _Catherine_’s Fortune to _England_. Another of them has a _Volcano_, and called _Del Fuego_.

The Land about the Cape appears the Height of that at _Deal_ in _Kent_; woody, a white even Sand along Shore, and about 28 Fathom Water a League off. Just to the Northward are two or three great Rocks, called by our Sailors _Shitten Islands_, being white all over with the Dung of Sea-fowls. At the same distance Southward of the Cape, is an Island called _Goree_, about a League from the Main, has a _French_ Factory with two Forts, commanding all the Trade about the River _Senega_, from other Nations.

While our Ships lay too here, we had good Fishing with our Lines; took _Breams_ (or _Porga’s_) _Skip-jacks_, _Groupes_, _a Rock-fish_ (thick, short, and of a deep yellow on the Belly, Gills, and Mouth) and the _Jew-Fish_; which has a double Mouth, the uppermost not to swallow Food, but full of Air-pipes, and finned like a _Cod_, all well tasted: and having washed them down with a Bowl, our Friends and we parted, the _Weymouth_ steering in for _Gambia_ River with the Governour Colonel _Witney_, and the Merchants; We for _Sierraleon_, anchoring there the Beginning of _April_, 1721.

The Winds from _Madeira_ to _Sierraleon_ at first blew fresh at S. and S. W. and as we came farther to the Southward, they wheel’d gradually on the Western Side of the Circle, quite round to the N. so as in the Latitude of 21 to have it N. E. a true _Trade_, seven, eight, or nine knots Day and Night; but whether it were the Badness of our half-minute Glasses, the tendency of the Sea with the Wind, or any Current, I cannot tell; but we always found our selves considerably further to the Southward, by Observation every day, than the Distance by the Log would give.

In this Passage, we took up a few _Turtle_ with our Boat. As they sleep and bask upon the Surface, we steal upon them without noise, and throw them in upon their Backs. We saw also abundance of flying Fish, and their continual Enemies, the _Albicore_ and _Dolphin_; the latter we strike now and then with a Fizgig, or Harping-iron. It is a glorious-colour’d, strait Fish, four or five Foot long, forked Tail, perpendicular to the Horizon: plays familiarly about Ships; is of dry Taste, but makes good Broth. They are seldom seen out of the Latitudes of a _Trade_-wind; and the flying Fish never: These are the bigness of small Herrings; their Wings about two thirds its length; come narrow from the Body, and end broad; they fly by the help of them a Furlong at a time when pursued, turning in their Flight, sometimes dip in the Sea, and so up again, the Wind making them, by this Expedient, fleeter.

_AFRICA in general._

As there is nothing more surprizing and delightful in Voyages or Travels, than beholding the different Habits, Customs, Dieting, and Religion of the different Natives; so there is none I believe, wherein that Difference can be found, so much as here. A Colour, Language and Manners, as wide from ours, as we may imagine we should find in the planetary Subjects above, could we get there.

But before I proceed on any Observations of my own, it may be proper from others, to convey some Idea of _Guinea_ in general; so much as carries Probability, either from the Dead or Living.

_Africa_, one of the four Quarters of the World, next in bigness to _Europe_, by the Ancients had several Names; _Olympia_, _Ammonis Ortygia_; but the most noted, _Apher_, from a Nephew, it’s said, of _Abraham_’s. It extends from about 36 N. to as many Degrees of Southern Latitude; and excepting _Egypt_, _Barbary_, _Morocco_, and in this last Age the Coast of _Guinea_, is a Country as little known as any Part of the Globe. _Marmol_ says, the _Arabians_ in the 400 of the _Hegyra_, passed into _Afric_ and divided it. This is certain, that it has many fine large Rivers, some of them navigable for Ships. Along the Banks of these Rivers, the Inhabitants abound with _Millet_, _Rice_, _Pulse_ or, _Indian-Corn_. The further we depart from _Morocco_ on this West Side, or _Egypt_ on the East, there is always found less Industry and more Ignorance: For Governments, tho’ never so tyrannical, are better than none, extending some Improvement to Humanity.

The _Niger_, which is one of the largest Rivers in _Africa_, is said to have the same Property of overflowing every Year, like _Nile_, remunerating to the inland parts a vast Fertility and Increase; and this very probably, because it has been traced some hundred Leagues, and by the Course, descends from the _Ethiopian_ Mountains, the common Fountain of both.

The _Senega_ and _Gambia_, Branches of this great River, disgorge here at the windward Part of _Guinea_; they are large Rivers, driving considerable Trade: To the former of these, the King of _Morocco_ extended his Dominions, about 1526, by the Conquest of the Kingdom of _Tombuto_, which still continues tributary, and whence that King raises considerable _Negro_ Armies, his chief Strength. A College of the Sect of _Haly_, is founded in _Melli_, a Kingdom upon this River. They have many _Crocodiles_ or _Alligators_, _Sea-Horses_, and _Shirks_ in them. _Senega_ affords great quantity of _Gum_; and at _Gambia_ begin our Factories for Slaves, Teeth, and Gold, on which this general Remark, That the Slaves there, faring softer from a better Soil, are not so hardy as those lower down. The Teeth are as large, and in as much plenty, as at any one Part of the whole Coast; those taken out of the _Sea-Horse_ are small, not weighing above 5 or 6 Pounds, but more solid than the _Elephant’s_. And lastly, their Gold is current in what the Traders call _Bars_, little twisted Lengths, or in Rings of 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8_s._ Value.

All the great Rivers flow and ebb regularly, being governed by the Moon, as the Tides on our own Coasts; but the Sandiness of the Soil, and Nearness of the Sun, makes the Country between, so extreamly dry, that they have great scarcity of Water for an hundred Miles an end sometimes; and this Drought is what brings the Beasts of all sorts in Droves to the Banks, for satisfying Thirst, (_Tygers_, _Panthers_, _Leopards_, _Antelopes_, _Elephants_, _Apes_; _Ostriches_, &c.) From which Accident, say they, might probably have happened the many _Hebridous_ Productions that have made this Country the Proverb of all Ages; it continually producing something new or monstrous.

Their chief Diet is _Indian_ Corn, Rice, Palm-nuts, Bananas, Yamms, Pine-apples, and now and then a little Fish, or a Fowl; all which thro’ Ignorance, and want of Necessaries, are very slovenly cooked by them.

_Africa_ is almost a Triangle in shape; the Kingdoms on the North are _Mahometans_; and in the trading Towns of _Barbary_, and _Turky_, there is a little Mixture of _Jews_. On the Eastern Line next _Persia_, are said to be some of the Sect of _Gaurs_, followers of _Zoroastes_, a very learned _Persian_ Philosopher, that appeared, according to Dr. _Prideaux_, about 2300 Years ago: He instituted Fire-worship, and established it by a superiour Cunning, through most parts of _Persia_ and _India_, where there are still some left, poor and despised, (called _Persees_) since the seventh Century, when the _Mahometans_ over-run that Country, and almost extinguished them. In _Æthiopia_, (_Prester John_’s Country) Writers say, are a sort of _Christians_, still acknowledging the Patriarch of _Alexandria_; meerly nominal I believe, for the _Greeks_ themselves, much nigher his Pastorship, have since their Conquest by the _Turks_, in a manner lost _their_ Christianity; Poverty and Ignorance, the Consequence of Captivity having obliterated the outward Pomp, which, next to Power, is the main Pillar in all Religions. _Inland_, and to the Southern Extremity, they are _Pagans_. And on this Western Line (the _Negroes_) all trust to the _Gregory_ or _Fetish_; which in the bulk of it means no more than what we in _Europe_ call _Charms_, which in many respects carries strong Superstition, that is, a vain Religion in it; only their consecrated Materials having more Reverence from their Ignorance and Fear, work more stupendous Effects; or are imagined to do so, which is the same thing. So much may serve for a general Idea of _Africa_, since several of the Articles will, in the progress of the Voyage, be occasionally expatiated on.

_SIERRALEON._

By _Guinea_ here, I mean all _Negro-land_, from about the River _Senega_ Northward, to within a few Degrees of _Cape Bon Esperance_; because Ships bound to any part of this Extent, are said to be bound to _Guinea_; and because the People, without these Lines, alter to a dark Colour seen in the _Moors_ at this, and the _Hottentots_ at the other Extremity. The Name (_Gordon_ says) imports _hot and dry_, and its Gold gives Name to our Coin.

The black Colour, and woolly Tegument of these _Guineans_; is what first obtrudes it self on our Observation, and distinguishes them from the rest of Mankind, who no where else, in the warmest Latitudes, are seen thus totally changed; nor removing, will they ever alter, without mixing in Generation. I have taken notice in my _Navy-Surgeon_, how difficultly the Colour is accounted for; and tho’ it be a little Heterodox, I am persuaded the black and white Race have, _ab origine_, sprung from different-coloured first Parents.

When we parted with the _Weymouth_ off _Cape de Verd_, we steered S. S. W. to avoid the Shoals of _Grandee_, and in hawling in for the Land again, waited till we came into the Latitude of _Sierraleon_, some _others_ laying on the N. Side that River. The Soundings in with the Cape are gradual, from 60 Fathoms about 12 Leagues off, to 13; when we get in sight of Cape _Sierraleon_, known by a single Tree much larger than the rest, and high land on the back of it. We run up on the Starboard side of the River, anchoring in the third Bay from the Cape; where is very commodious watering and wooding; and regular Tides, as in any part of the Channel of _England_.

_Remark 1._ The Trade for our _African_ Company here, is carried on from _Bense_ or _Brent Island_, about 5 Leagues distance from our Anchorage, by Factors, of whom Mr. _Plunket_ is chief. The private Traders are about 30 in number, settled on the Starboard side of the River: loose privateering Blades, that if they cannot trade fairly with the Natives, will rob; but then don’t do it so much in pursuance of that trading Advice, (_Amass Riches, my Son_,) as to put themselves in a Capacity of living well, and treating their Friends, being always well pleased if they can keep their Stock _at Par_, and with their Profits purchase from time to time, Strong-beer, Wine, Cyder, and such Necessaries, of _Bristol_ Ships, that more frequently than others put in there; of these, _John Leadstine_, commonly called _old Cracker_, is reckoned the most thriving.

They all keep _Gromettas_ (_Negro_ Servants) which they hire from _Sherbro River_, at two _Accys_ or _Bars_ a Month. The Women keep House, and are obedient to any Prostitutions their Masters command. The Men-servants work in the Boats and Periagoes, which go a trading in turns with Coral, Brass, Pewter Pans, Pots, Arms, _English_ Spirits, _&c._ and bring back from the _Rio Nunes_, Slaves, and Teeth; and from _Sherbro_, Camwood for Dyers; a Sloop or two is the most that is loaded from the latter Place in a Year, and that with difficulty; being obliged to go far up the River, narrow and beset with _Mangroves_, which makes it sickly.

The _Ivory_ here is of the _Elephant_ or _Sea-Horse_, great and small; the former, sold at about 40 _Accys_ per _Quintal_ in Exchange; the other at half Price.

The Slaves when brought here, have Chains put on, three or four linked together, under the Care of their _Gromettas_, till Opportunity of Sale; and then go at about 15 Pounds a good Slave, allowing the Buyer 40 or 50 _per Ct._ Advance on his Goods.

As these Slaves are placed under _Lodges_ near the Owner’s House, for Air, Cleanliness, and Customers better viewing them, I had every day the Curiosity of observing their Behaviour, which with most of them was very dejected. Once, on looking over some of old _Cracker_’s Slaves, I could not help taking notice of one Fellow among the rest, of a tall, strong Make, and bold, stern aspect. As he imagined we were viewing them with a design to buy, he seemed to disdain his Fellow-Slaves for their Readiness to be examined, and as it were scorned looking at us, refusing to rise or stretch out his Limbs, as the Master commanded; which got him an unmerciful Whipping from _Cracker_’s own Hand, with a cutting _Manatea Strap_, and had certainly killed him but for the loss he himself must sustain by it; all which the _Negro_ bore with Magnanimity, shrinking very little, and shedding a Tear or two, which he endeavoured to hide as tho’ ashamed of. All the Company grew curious at his Courage, and wanted to know of _Cracker_, how he came by him; who told us, that this same Fellow, called Captain _Tomba_, was a Leader of some Country Villages that opposed them, and their Trade, at the River _Nunes_; killing our Friends there, and firing their Cottages. The Sufferers this way, by the Help of my Men, (says _Cracker_) surprized, and bound him in the Night, about a Month ago, he having killed two in his Defence, before they could secure him, and from thence he was brought hither, and made my Property.

_Remark 2._ _Sierraleon River_ is very broad here, but in ten or twelve Miles rowing upwards, narrow to half the Breadth of the _Thames_ at _London_, spread on both sides thick with _Mangroves_; Trees, or slender woody Shrubs, that spring from the low, watry Banks of Rivers, in warm Climates. From the Branches, the Sap descends again and takes a second Root, and so on, a third, fourth, _&c._ that the Ground is all covered; very difficult, if not impossible for Men to penetrate: This makes them fit Haunts for the _Manatea_ and _Crocodile_ (Sea-Cow and Alligator) which, with the _Shirks_, very much infest the River. A Story or two of these Creatures, may not be unacceptable.

The _Manatea_ is about eleven or twelve Foot long, and in girt half as much; Teeth only in the back part of her Mouth, which are like the Ox’s, as is also her Muzzle and Head; with this difference, that her Eyes are small in proportion, and Ears you can scarce thrust a Bodkin in; close to her Ears almost, are two broad Finns, sixteen or eighteen Inches long, that feel at the Extremities as tho’ jointed; a broad Tail, Cuticle granulated, and of a colour and touch like Velvet: the true Skin an Inch thick, used by the _West-Indians_ in Thongs for punishing their Slaves; weigh to five or fix hundred Weight; of a firm Flesh, that cuts fat, lean, and white like Veal: Boiled, stewed, or roasted (for I have eaten it all ways) it has no fishy Taste, but is as acceptable a Treat as Venison to Cockneighs.

The _Negroes_ way of taking them, is in a _Canoo_, which they paddle towards the _Manatea_ with as little noise as possible, (she being extreamly quick of hearing:) when near enough, a Man placed ready in the Boat’s Head, strikes in his Harpoon with a long Pole into her, and lets go. She makes towards the _Mangroves_ immediately, and the Water being shallow, they now and then get sight of the Pole, and so follow, renewing the Strokes till they kill, or weary her, and then drag her ashore.

The _Alligator_ answers in all respects, and doubtless is the _Egyptian Crocodile_; shaped not unlike the _Lizard_, but of two hundred Weight perhaps, covered with hard Scales that are impenetrable to Shot, unless very near; long Jaws set with sharp Teeth, two very large, and two small: Finns like Hands: A Tail thick and continuous; will live a long time out of the Water, being sold frequently alive in the _West-Indies_. They are not shy, but rather bold, and tho’ easily waked, will not make off presently, our Boats falling down with the Stream within a few yards of them, before they stir; laying basking to the Sun, in little muddy Nooks they form in their egress from the _Mangroves_. When they float upon the Water, they lie very still and like a Log of Timber, till the little Fry underneath come unwarily sporting about them and tempt their greedy Stomachs; they diving very quick upon their Prey.

One of these set upon a Man of Captain _Masterton_’s, a Sloop that put in here from _Sherbro_. The Sailor, to avoid walking round a Bay, and being mellow with drinking, would needs cut his way short by wading over a weedy part of it up to his Breast, where the _Alligator_ seized him; and the Fellow having full Courage, ran his Arm down his Throat: Notwithstanding which, the _Crocodile_ loosed, and renewed the Battle two or three times, till a Canoo that saw the Distress, paddled to his Relief, but he was torn unmercifully in his Buttocks, Arms, Shoulders, Thighs, and Sides; and had not the Creature been young, must certainly have been killed. The Man recovered of his Wounds.

_Shirks_ very much infest the Mouth of this River; the most bold and ravenous of the watry Tribe: He never forsakes your Hook, till he is taken, and slights the Proverb,

_Occultum visus decurrere piscis ad hamum._

We have catched three in less than half an hour, each 8 or 10 Foot long, the Livers of them making above ten Gallons of Oil. They have four or five Rows of short, sharp Teeth, one within another, and the Sides of them indented like Saws. Their Swallows 14 and 16 Inches over. In the Maws, we found Beef Bones, and what other Trash had been thrown over-board in the Day; for they are like the Parson’s Barn; they turn on their backs to take in their Prey. Our Seamen dressed and eat the Flesh, tho’ very strong; the fault of all carnivorous Animals.

These _Shirks_ have generally two, three, or more pretty-coloured little Fish, the bigness of Herrings attending them, called _Pilots_: They go in and out at his Maw, or fasten on his Back, in familiar manner: They are supposed like the _Jackall_ to the _Lion_, to be instrumental in procuring him Prey, and warning him of Danger in Shoals, for which he receives Food, and Protection from the _Shirk_.

I shall give an Instance or two within my own knowledge, to shew the Boldness and Rapacity of this Fish.

The _Weymouth_’s Barge rowing up _Gambia_ River, a _Shirk_ made to them, and notwithstanding the noise of so many Oars, seized one of them in his Mouth, and snapped it in two.

At _Whydah_, a very dangerous Coast to land at, having two Bars before it, and great Seas; a Canoo was going on shore from a Merchant-Ship with some Goods, and in attempting to land, overset: A _Shirk_ nigh hand, seized upon one of the Men in the Water, and by the Swell of the Sea, they were both cast on shore; notwithstanding which, the _Shirk_ never quitted his hold, but with the next _Ascend_ of the Sea, carried him clear off.

In short, their Voracity refuses nothing; Canvas, Ropeyarns, Bones, Blanketing, _&c._ I have seen them frequently seize a Corpse, as soon as it was committed to the Sea; tearing and devouring that, and the _Hammock_ that shrouded it, without suffering it once to sink, tho’ a great Weight of Ballast in it.

There are in the Bays of this River, variety of good Fish, that supplies the Scarcity of Flesh; Turtle, Mullet, Skate, [6]Ten-pounders, [7]Old-wives, [8]Cavalloes, [9]Barricudoes, [10]Sucking-Fish, Oysters, [11]Cat-Fish, Bream, and Numb-Fish; the most of which we catch’d in great numbers with our Searn; two or three Hours in a Morning supplying a Belly-full to the whole Ship’s Company.

The Oysters and Numb-Fish have something peculiar; the former growing, or rather sticking in great Bunches of twenty or thirty, upon the Rocks and Mangroves, to which they seemingly grow, very small and ill-tasted.

The latter, which is the _Torpedo_ of the Ancients, is flat as a Skate, so very cold as to numb the Hands or Arms of those who touch him, but goes off again in few Hours; and with a Stick you may toss him about a Day together without any other Harm than losing your time.

_Remark 3._ The Country about _Sierraleon_ is so thick spread with Wood, that you cannot penetrate a Pole’s length from the Water-side, unless between the Town, and Fountain whence they fetch their Water, without a great deal of difficulty. They have Paths however through these Woods, to their [12]Lollas, and [13]Lugars, which tho’ but a mile or two from the Town, are frequently the Walks of wild Beasts; their Excrement I have found up and down in walking here, white and mixed with Ossicles.

The Shores hereabouts, like those of _Sweden_, are rocky, and without any Cover of Earth almost; yet produce large Trees, the Roots spreading on the Surface: The chief of these are the Palm, the Coco, and the Cotton-Tree, described _p._ 198, in the first Volume of the _History of the Pyrates_.

Other Vegetables for Food are Rice, Yams, [14]Plantanes, [15]Pine-Apples, [16]Limes, Oranges, [17]Papais, Palm-nuts, wild Roots, and Berries.

This is their common Sustenance; the Gift of Providence, without their Care; they might abound, but prefer Ease and Indolence, he being greatest among them, who can afford to eat [18]Rice all the Year round. Kid and Fowl, they have a few, and were all the domestick Animals I saw.

_Remark 4._ On the Negroes here, their Clothing, Customs and Religion.

The _Men_ are well-limbed, clean Fellows; flattish-nosed, and many with _Exomphalos’s_; the Effect of bad Midwifry, or straining in their Infancy to walk; for they are never taught, but creep upon a Matt on all Fours, till they have Strength to erect themselves; and notwithstanding this, are seldom distorted. These do not circumcise, but the Slaves brought from the Northward are frequently so; perhaps from bordering on _Morocco_.

The _Women_ are not nigh so well shaped as the Men: Childing, and their Breasts always pendulous, stretches them to so unseemly a Length and Bigness, that some, like the _Ægyptians_, I believe, could suckle over their Shoulders. Their being imployed in all Labour, makes them robust; for such as are not _Gromettas_, work hard in Tillage, make Palm-Oil, or spin Cotton; and when they are free from such work, the idle Husbands put them upon breading and fetishing out their Wool, they being prodigious proud and curious in this sort of Ornament; and keep them every day, for many hours together, at it.

Their _Houses_ are low, little Hutts, not quite so bad as many in _Yorkshire_, built with wooden Stockades set in the ground, in a round or square form, thatched with Straw; they are swept clean every day; and for Furniture, have a Matt or two to lie down upon; two or three earthen or wooden Dishes, and Stools, with a Spoon, all of their own making. They are idle, principally from want of Arts and domestick Employments: for as I observed, they are so cautious of planting too much, and wasting their Labour, that they are really improvident; smoaking all day in long Reed-Pipes together; unplagued with To-morrow, or the Politicks of _Europe_.