Page:Medical Heritage Library (IA b30530933).pdf/48

28 Hands go on Shore, and leave the Ship and Storm to contest it by themselves.

Their Lodgings on shore are as uneasy to Strangers, as the Road to Ships; being prodigiously pestered with Bugs and Fleas. Cotts upon the Floors, is the common way of laying.

Their Strength is in the Militia, computed at 18000 disciplin’d and loyal Fellows. They, the Azores, and Cape De Verd Islands soon returning to their Allegiance, after that Revolution in Portugal, 1640.

Before I leave Madeira, I must relate the surprizing Account just arrived here by several Masters of Vessels, Eye-witnesses of a new Island which sprung out of the Sea the 20th of November last, 17 Leagues S. E. from Terceira, one of the Western Islands.

The Master who took a Survey of it by order from the Governour of Terceira, lays it down, a League long, a Mile broad, a little above the surface of the Water, and smoking like a Volcano. After the Eruption, the Sea for several Leagues round was covered with Pumice-stone, and half-broiled Fish. I was curious to know What Symptoms (if any) had preceded this Prodigy at the other Islands; and learned that Pico, one of them, a noted Volcano, had ceased to burn for some time, and that they had felt a Shock or two of an Earthquake that had done considerable damage. Corvo, an Island in this