gentle easterly breeze, and, with feelings of pleasure to which we had long been strangers, observed the town and shipping gradually recede from our view, and diminish into obscurity. Shortly after dusk, we were close in with Eustatia, and, on the ensuing morning (the 30th), the islands of Saint Martin and Anguilla were discernible; early in the afternoon Dog Island bore faintly in sight to the N. E., from which we took our departure, and bade a final adieu to the West Indies. Although yet scarcely clear of the islands we began to anticipate the enjoyment of home, and cheerful society of friends, in which we had frequently almost despaired of participating. Feelings so enlivening and joyous reconciled us, in a great measure, to the roughness of our duty, and stimulated us to a lively discharge of our novel and laborious employment.

Having now cleared every obstruction, and being once more afloat upon the wide Atlantic, we set all sail and steered a N. E. course. With the exception of a few slight squalls, accompanied by much vivid light

ning, we experienced an uninterrupted continuance of fine weather, and favourable though light winds, which enabled us to carry our studding-sails nearly the entire voyage to the Azores; which islands we made on Tuesday the 26th of May, without having once had occasion to put the ship about.

So favorable a passage has probably been rarely experienced from the West Indies, and was to be attributed, independently of the season, to our course, which varied considerably from that generally adopted by vessels homeward-bound from the windward islands. The masters of West-Indiamen, almost uniformly, in the first instance, proceed nearly due north until they reach the island of Bermuda, from whence they take a fresh departure, and steer direct for England, but Captain W- aware of the incompetency of his crew to contend with the bad weather, heavy gales, and fogs, usually experienced off the great bank of Newfoundland, judiciously deviated from the customary track, and stood to the N. E. by E., keeping the ship as close as she

would lay to the southward and eastward; by which means he was enabled to fetch the western islands, so unfrequently touched at, except by vessels for the immediate pose of commercial traffic.

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Of these islands the first land made was Pico, whose lofty summit was by the ship's log discernible at the great distance of twenty-four leagues; and on our approach, the following day, presented an appearance inconceivably bold and majestic; its insulated situation, extreme elevation, and luxuriant scenery, combining to form a view of the most impressive grandeur.

The peak was seen proudly towering above massy clouds, which, hanging upon the steep sides of the mountain, at intervals occasioned a partial obscurity, and even sometimes appeared to envelop the base itself.

As we bore up abreast of the channel, which separates the island from Fayal, the density of the atmosphere became less intense, and the clouds gradually dispersing as the sun advanced above the horizon, the

celebrated Peak was shortly after visible in all its sublimity; a few light clouds still hovering around its summit, increasing the general interest of the scene. Its extreme height is generally estimated at upwards of 7,000 feet above the level of the sea, and cultivation appeared to have been carried to within about one-third of the summit. These lofty regions were not only unsubdued by human industry, but apparently destitute of even the slightest vestige of natural vegetation. Here nature reigned in the midst of the most picturesque and barren wildness, more strikingly interesting as contrasted with the luxuriant fertility of the lower and inhabited districts. The entire island seemed devoted to the growth of the vine, which rendered its appearance rather gloomy and sombre; enlivened, however, by the white cottages of the peasantry, the monasteries, churches, and a few other elevated buildings.

Owing to the lightness of the wind, we were unable to make Fayal as early as we had expected; and it was five o'clock in the fternoon before we anchored in the roads

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of Horta, the capital of that island. The prospect which unfolded itself as we approached the harbour, surpassed in natural beauty any thing I had ever before witnessed; equal to the most highly-cultivated pleasure grounds in England. The island throughout exhibited a charming variety of scenery, and its features were, in many parts, in the highest degree romantic.

The weather being so uncommonly calm, and the sea free from the slightest ruffle, I attempted to make a few sketches, but never before more sensibly felt the inadequacy of my pencil to do justice to the captivating scenery which successively presented itself.

The Azores in general abound, I am convinced, in beauties of the most diversified character, richly deserving the attention of the artist, and well calculated to reward his labours, and display the extent and vigour of his talent.

As the vessel sailed round the point, and entered the roads of Horta, the prospect was peculiarly fine. The town is built close to the shore, and, viewed from the