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C H A P . E
T H E IS L A N D OF M A D E IR A .
The Bay of Biscay— Current setting into the Mediterranean explained by an
Experiment— Remarkable Appearance of Madeira— Town of Funchal-
Cathedral—Franciscan Convent, and Chamber of Skulls— Nunneries—
Climate and Diseases— Condition of the Inhabitants— Poifugueze Beggars—
Clergy— English Inhabitants— Discovery of the Island— its Defences—
Productions-—Wines— how and to what Amount exported— Fiery Meteor. o n the 26th of September 1792, our little squadron, consisting
of the Lion ship of war of sixty-four guns, the Hindostán
Indiaman, and the Jackal Brig, sailed from Spithead
with a fair and fresh breeze, which, as we proceeded down
the British Channel, increased to an equinoctial gale from
the south-west, and compelled us to seek for shelter in Torbay.
Here we remained two days, when, the wind becoming moderate
and favourable, w e ' again put to sea and rolled rapidly
across the bay of Biscay, which, like the “ Wavering
Nation,” as Shakspeare aptly calls it, whose shores it laves, is
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