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From CapeLopez(parting with the Coast) we came in sight of the IslandAnnabona, the Breezes small at South, and Calms alternatively; hereabout we cruised three or four days, for our Consort theSwallow, that some how or other was separated; and missing her, bore away forBrasil.
In the Passage it may be first observed, that when we had sailed ninety Leagues to the Westward, and got into 3°° S. the Winds that were at South veered, so as to become a true S E.Trade, that carried us four or fiveKnots.——And still as we advanced farther Westward, it blew fresher at E S E. 7, 8, and 9Knotsconstantly, with neither Thundernor Lightning.Quære, whether this distance is not a proper Medium to allow for the Attraction of all Exhalations by the Land; at least that they considerably abate after that length from all Shores, allowing for Latitude, and as they are Montainous or Plain. We see within this Dimension, (plainly) that it takes off the Influence of the Sun, and varys theTradeWind towards itself: Nor is it so astonishing, since Animals themselves obey; several sorts of Fish and Fowl have a periodical return to such and such places, and not so of those inhabiting the more stable Element of Land: Wherefore it is highly rational to think, that as the fluid Elements they live in yieldto the attractive Power of the Earth and Planets, so also their Inhabitants have their Instinct more sensibly fated by them.
Secondly, in thisTrade-Wind sailing, we are every day diverted with flying Fish, Bonetos, and Sea-Fowl; the Sails require little labour intrimming, the Ship goes steady, and the Bowl unslung; so that at leaving such a Country we might cheerfully sing,
How happy were we, when the Wind blew abaft!
One of these cheerful Evenings, eleven at night, the full Moon became totally eclipsed, a Darkness surprizing, as it was unexpected; when she had recovered her Light,we repeated ourSacrifice in Bowls, and fell into Reflections and Admiration of that Power which supports the Regularity of the planetary Motions, and the Sublimity of that Art which can so exactly calculate them: They demonstrate the Sphericity of the Earth, because Countries, as they are farther East or West, observe them hours sooner or later, according to their Longitude, which could not be on a Plain, but visible to all at once.
This Longitude therefore in a general View, is the same thing as Time, the difference of it being the distance East and West of any two places, allowing 15 Degrees, or 300 Leagues to an Hour; the whole 24 being lost or gained in a Circum-navigation of the Globe, West or Eastward.
A natural, tho’ hitherto incorrect way of estimating the Parts of Longitudein those Runs, till Instruments and Rules are discovered, is, I think,First, to make exact Tables of the Sun’s Risings and Settings, at Places commonly departed from, and those we go to for every day in the year: and then,Secondly, to carry two proved Watches of equal Goodness, kept in equal Warmth, and freest from Motion and Weather, to measure the difference of time where you are, by the same edge of the Sun the Tables were made from; the Minutes sooner or later, according as you go East or West, is so manyLeagues of Longitude for that day. I would insinuate by this only my Opinion, that those literalImproversof Time, the Watch Makers, bid as fair for the Discovery of Longitude as the Astronomer; for if Watches can be made not to err above two or three Minutes in the time a Ship is running 1000 Leagues, or if they do err more, a Rule could be found how much, (like as an Azimuth corrects the common Compass;) or if anyMovementcould be depended on only from Observation to Observation, then the Error would be no greater than what is met in different Quadrants, observing Latitude. As it is, it seems a proper Method to correct or assist the present Rules of calculating meridional Distance.
We made this Passage of 8 or 900 Leagues toBrasilin three Weeks; but having elsewhere given my Observations on the Country, I shall only take notice that theTradeblowing very fresh, and bringing in a great Swell, we hastened from the Coast to our intended Ports in theWest-Indies.
In our Progress thither, a Remark or two:First, that in the Navigation fromBrasil, we crossed the Æquinoctial, two or three Degrees W. of CapeRoque, keeping on with a pleasant S E.Tradethat gradually lessened, and in 4°° North Latitude, left us in Calms, Rains, and uncertain Squalls, (varying round the Compass;) That this continued for several days, till we drew in or near the Parallel ofBarbados, and then we as gradually had obtained theTradeto Northward of the East, running 150 Leagues with it, that is, toBarbados.
Secondly, The reason of Calms, and Rains met in Latitudes between 4°° and 11°° N. (with a little Variation, as the Sun is of this or that side the Equinoctial) is probably from a Contest between the N E. and S E.Trade; but whether the passing them be more favourable far to the Eastward or Westward, I am uncertain.