overflows, has ever noticed so remarkable a phenomenon. He observes of this sea, “that when you have a handsome gale in the offing, drawing near the land, you shall find the gale wear away.” For the wind, when violent at sea, does not, as the sailors say, always blow home in the Mediterranean; but often lulls, on approaching the land, where its figure and height produce the effect of a wall built across a gully, which, by stopping the current of air, produces a calm even on its weather-side. The sea, moreover, from there being a less extent of water, soon goes down; and there is therefore less danger in running for the land.
An effect somewhat similar to what I have mentioned, I mean that of a lee-shore being disarmed of its terrors, may be witnessed at home on approaching the high cliffs at the back of the Isle of Wight; though the calm is uncertain, and very confined in its extent. Something of the same kind also may be witnessed on the Dorsetshire coast, though arising out of a different cause. Thus vessels may be seen riding at anchor, not only in perfect safety, but with stern to wind, in Studland-bay, when both wind and sea are dead on shore. The reason of this seems to be found in the strength of the under-tow or lower outset of the sea, which restores the redundant quantity of water forced into the bay, and which is from some local circumstances stronger, or at least acts nearer the surface, in the place of anchorage.
The reader will recollect the sailors resorting to the manœuvre mentioned in the text, in the story of St. Paul’s shipwreck, which may show how common was the practice attributed to the Biscayneer. While I am upon this subject I cannot resist the temptation of relating a story arising out of this; because it will show how local experience removes difficulties, and of a graver nature than those which I have here attempted to explain. It happened that the lesson, which made part of one Sunday morning’s service, read on board a king’s ship in the Mediterranean, was that in which St. Paul gives a description of this shipwreck; and some of the men were observed to exchange significant glances at the idea of
