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 Departure in the Jason — Spanish Captain and Officers — Life on board a Man of War — "Balances" — Fishing — "Le petit tambour" — Cocoa-nuts — A Norte — Spanish proverb — Peak of Orizava — Theory and practice — Norte chocolatero — Contrary winds — Chain of Mountains — Goleta.

24th November.

morning, at six o'clock, we breakfasted, together with Captain Estrada, the commander of the Jason, at the Casa H a; and the wind being fair, repaired shortly after in volantes to the wharf, accompanied by our hospitable host, and several of our acquaintances; entered the boat, looked our last of the Palace and the Yntendencia, and of Havana itself, where we had arrived as strangers, and which now, in fifteen days, had begun to assume a familiar aspect, and to appear interesting in our eyes, by the mere force of human sympathy; and were transported to the ship, where a line of marines, drawn up to receive us, presented arms as we entered. The morning was beautiful; little wind, but fair. We took leave of our friends, waived our handkerchiefs to the balconies in return for signals from scarcely-distinguishable figures, passed beneath the red-tinted Cabaña and the stately Morro, and were once more upon the deep, with a remembrance behind, and a hope before us. Our Bergantina is a handsome vessel,