"H.I.M. frigate, _Novara_, such and such a day of the week and month, hour at which thrown overboard, Longitude from Greenwich, Latitude. Whoever finds this bottle, which is about being thrown overboard well-corked and in good order, is requested to forward for publication, to the nearest spot at which there is a newspaper, the day, hour, latitude and longitude, in which the bottle has been found, together with the particulars of a similar nature already enclosed."
On the 7th June, towards evening, we were not more than 55 nautical miles distant from the E. point of Madeira, and as the wind was favourable and pretty fresh, it became necessary to shorten sail, so as to reach the anchorage by daybreak.
About 2.30 A.M., a vessel was perceived, which, by its lights, was made out to be a man-of-war. We now burned a port fire which was not merely replied to, but accompanied by signalling the number of the _Caroline_. She was steering exactly our own course, and after having had to struggle with calms on nearing the coast, we cast anchor together, in the roads of Funchal, in 32 fathoms, sandy bottom, immediately South of the Loo Rock, a singular-looking, lofty, conical rock, which marks the best anchorage for large ships. The U. S. corvette, _Dale_, lay in our vicinity, and sent a boat on board with an officer to extend to us the usual greetings, after which she saluted the Commodore's standard with a salute of thirteen guns,[11] which, as is the etiquette, we returned, gun for gun. We now had the pleasure of hearing that the small-pox had entirely disappeared on board the corvette _Caroline_, those attacked being now in a fair way of convalescence, while on board the _Novara_, the health of the ship's company was eminently satisfactory.
[Footnote 11: Commodores of other nations receive only eleven guns by way of salute.]
First Impressions.--Difficulty in Landing.--Description of the Island.--History.--Unfavourable political circumstances connected with the cultivation of the ground.--Aqueducts.-- First Planting of the Sugar-cane.--Culture of the Vine.--Its Disease and Decay.--Cochineal as a compensation for its loss.-- Prospects of Success.--Climate.--A favourable Winter Residence for the Consumptive.--Strangers.--First Appearance of the Cholera.--Observations with the Ozonometer.--Great Distress among the Lower Classes.--Liberal Assistance from England.-- Decline of Commerce.--Inhabitants and their Mode of Life.-- Decrease of the Population, and its Causes.--Benevolent Institutions.--Public Libraries.--The Cathedral.--Barracks.-- Prison.--Environs of Funchal.--Excursion to St. Anna.--Ascent of the Pico Ruivo.--Singular Sledge Party.--Return to Funchal.--Departure.