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22 Seas, and anchor us in a Haven of Felicity.

The Gale with which we left England, carried us the length of Cape 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