Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

ORIENTAL MEMOIRS.

CHAPTER I.

The Author embarks as a Writer for Bombay-Cape de Verd Islands-Sails for the Cape of Good Hope-Coast of BrazilArrival at Rio de Janeiro-Humming-birds described - City of St. Sebastian - Departure from South America-Tristan de Cunha-Table Land - Storms off the Cape of Good HopeDying Dolphin-Ship on Fire -Sea-scurvy-Funeral Ceremony at Sea-Monotony and Distress in long Calms-Malabar Coast -Settlement at Cochin-Calicut-Tellicherry-MangaloreGoa Harbour, and City-Arrival at Bombay.

HAVING obtained the appointment of a writer in the East India Company's service at Bombay I embarked with fourteen other passengers for that settlement, in the month of March 1765, before I had attained my sixteenth year; and at that early age I commenced my descriptive letters, and the drawings which accompany them.

After encountering the boisterous seas in the Bay of Biscay, we entered the warmer latitudes; and had a distant view of the islands of Madeira, Palma, and Ferro: we next saw the peak of Teneriffe, rearing its majestic head above the clouds, and presenting a grand and magnificent scene. From thence we steered for St. Jago, the largest of the Cape de Verd islands, for

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »