17^7. perfe&Iy correfpond, with the idea univerfally entertaiaed of
vJa"e~. the dignity of a grandee of Spain.. This aecomplifhed
nobleman, as I have been informed, is not a Spaniard by
birth, but a . Sicilian; and ’ defeended from -feme o f the
princes of. that iiland. On this anceftry and defeent, it is
vifible that he prides himfelf not a little. The people he
is placed over will have it, that: he carries himfelf with too
much ftatelinefs to be long a' favourite there ; they cannot,
however, help acknowledging that he preserves a degree of
difintereftednds, moderation, and juftice, in his Conduct towards
them, that is not to be objected to. ‘
6th, A con via, named James Clark, died of a drOpfy;
he had been tapped ten days before, and difcharged twelve
quarts o f water.
8th, During f
employed m taking in water on board the Alexander, a
fervice in which feme of the convfels afiifted, one of them,
of the name of Powel, found means to drop himifelf wnper-»
eeived into a fmall boat that lay along-lidb; and under
cover of the night to caft her .off without difcpvery* He
then drifted to a Dutch Eaft Indiaman that had juft come to
an anchor, to the crew of which be told a plaufible ftoty,
and
V OYAGE TO NEW SOUTH WALES,
and entreated to be taken- bn board ; but, though they much
wanted men, they would have -nothing; to do with him.
Having committed himfelf again to the waves, he was driven
by the wind ami the current, in the eourfe o f the night,
to a fmall ifland lying to leeward of the fhips, where he was
the next morning taken. The boat and oars, which he
could not - conceal, -fed-toa difeovery; otherwife he would
probably have effeâed his cfeape. When brought back by
the party fent after him, Captain Phillip ordered him into
irons, in which ffate he remained for feme time ; but at
length, by an artful petition he got written for him, he fe
wrought on thé governor’ s humanity, as to procure a réleafe
from his confinement.
As you approach the illand of Teneriffe, and even when
you are near to; it, the appearance from the fea conycys no
very favourable idea of its fertility ; oiie rugged, barren
hill : or mountain terminating in âuèther, until it forms
the famous Peak. The town of Santa Cruz is large and
populous, but véry irregular aiid ill built ; feme of the
private houfes,- however, are fpaeious, convenient, and
well conftrtfejted. Although this town is not confidered as.
the capital, Laguna enjoying that pre-éminencc, yçt I cannot