LET. 1t.] THE TROPICS—FIRE WORKS. 5
mean smooth, for the rocking and rolling are just as bad as when we had plenty of wind. The thermometer now stands at 78° in the day, and higher, I should think, in the night; but our cabin is certainly the coolest of any, and T have not yet found the heat unbearable. The gentlemen are all “ rigged 'Fropical,” with their collars turned down, and small matters of neekcloths: —erisly Guys some of them turn out! The very sea looks tepid, and goes past with a lazy roll, as if it was too languid to earry us on.
We live in hopes of catching a shark: one was seen this morning, but he was too cunning for us, We are also on the look-out for an albatross, When we first sailed, ali the gentle- men protested against the horror of ever shooting an albatross, aad quoted the Ancient Mariner at every opportunity ; but since the Ist of September, the recollections of the shooting season have greatly softened down the sentiment, and they are now ready for ali the albatrosses that may make their appearance. They say “ they think that old fellow of Coleridge’s must have been a horrid bore.” ‘We passed the Cape de Verd Islands the day before yesterday, but did not go on shore. They are not much of a sight.
September Sth.— Yesterday we overtook a ship going to New South Wales, filled with settlers and live stock. .A good many of our gentlemen went on board, and brought back miserable accounts of the discomforts of the ship compared with ours. This ship (the “ Wave”) left England before us, but we overtake all the ships. Mr. Kenrick, our first mate, says he thinks he should feel quite mortified at being in a ship which let others pass her, but he supposes it is all habit! The “ Wave” had felt a good deal of bad weather from going inside the Cape de Verd Islands, instead of outside, as we did. Captain BUYS he never settles his course till he sees how the weather promises; and this time he thought the outside would be best—which we all consider very clever of our skipper. At night we had a show of fireworks, that the two ships might know cach other’s places: it was really very pretty. We, being magnificent, sent up two blue-lights and two skyrockets: the blue-lights were the best; it looked as if the whole concern—ship, sails, and sea —were playing at snap-dragon; altogether it was the best ad-
