lead, or go within 20 fathoms, particularly at night in foggy weather, for the high land of Agulhas is often invisible in the day time, when the sand hills of Struys Bay, and even the breakers off Northumberland Point are distinctly seen. On these occasions it is almost impossible to know whether you are to the eastward or westward of Struys Point, as the bay eastward of the point has the same features as Struys Bay. In concluding these observations it may not be out of place to remark, that no vessel should approach nearer than three or four miles, for should it fall calm, and the vessel be within that distance, the heavy swell which constantly rolls toward the shore, would render her fate almost inevitable. The only resource in such a case, viz. anchoring, would most likely prove unavailing, for the nature of the bottom combined with the swell, would in all probability cause the cable to part. The fate of a wreck in St. Mango's Inlet under these circumstances tends to strengthen this state ment. Ships from the westward will first see the light on a S. 57° E. bearing. Although the survey of Cape Agulhas extended only five miles westward of the Cape, it was observed that the sea broke a long distance off Gunners Quoin Point. Care should therefore be taken not to approach too close to the land in endeavouring to make the light. All the before mentioned bearings are by compass. Mr. Maclear observes respecting the building "that it appears to be well executed and sufficiently massive." "The dome (he says) I am told is composed of hard bricks (clinkers). It is perforated on one side to form an entrance into the lantern, there being no other method of access to the latter from below. This opening is objectionable in a mechanical point of view, for it disturbs the equilibrium of the dome. On the other hand, it is less objectionable than perforating the wall, composed of a softer material. Every thing being in a sufficiently forward state last Saturday, and the weight of the lenticular apparatus which is to rest on the crown of the dome having been ascertained; about double the amount, or ten thousand one hundred and eighty pounds, consisting of blocks of granite and two cases of lead, were placed upon the granite block fixed on the crown for the attachment of the stem of the apparatus, and still remains there, without having produced any visible flinching or crack. I am therefore, of opinion that the building and dome are sufficently strong, for the support of the machinery they are to carry, and that the machinery may be erected without further delay." In conclusion, we trust in our next number to be able to announce the commencement of the light, which was intended to take place on the first of January. NAUTICAL SKETCHES. The Calm at Sea. "But hope can here her moonlight vigils keep, CAMPBELL. During the pilgrimage of a sailor, there are a thousand things which give rise to deep reflection. Among others, the "calm at sea.' The storm, however impressive from its awful sublimity, leaves but little time for reflection. At the moment, the mind, as it were, is thrown back upon itself, and the necessity of the case calls up its action in one direction to the exclusion of all extraneous feelings. But when a lonely vessel floats upon the water, not motionless, but stationary, with nothing save sky above and sea around, the mind is open to a variety of thoughts; it is an hour for meditation, a sort of holiday in the round of its ordinary professional duties; and as such, scarcely ever fails of attuning the ideas in accordance with the surrounding serenitude; the effect, we have often noticed on the officer as well as on the rough and hardy seaman: Such a scene has its interest as a picture: The day, bright, without a cloud to mitigate the fervour of the sun's intensity, now wanes; the solemn shades of evening steal on, and darkness spreads over the waters, whilst above, the stars in countless thousands bespangle the canopy of heaven: the effect on the mind of all is indescribable; but though the feelings take the tincture of the impressive calm which breathes around, there is one thought ever active, The stars bid him hope, because mutation is visible there; star after star decends from its high place and vanishes in the west: hence the mariner's conviction that change will come. Let us gaze awhile upon those heavenly orbs, so "spiritually bright", as Lord Byron has so poetically and beautifully expressed their splen dour. "How strangely clear shine those radiant lights That, look so coldly* down upon this earth, Amid the gloom which shrouds the moonless nights- "How mysterious seems that vaulted roof. How vast His works, how little those of men! "Yet how attractive are those thousand eyes "Watching his dreams, fancies, passions--all wild- In might a giant,-in weakness, a child,- "But, look up again to that blue expanse, How the soul thrills as feelings warm arise, "Oh! how beautiful seem they! Who would dream But, the mariner's conviction of change is not his alone, it belongs to the entire species; the savage without any pre-conceived knowledge of the revolution which every earthly thing undergoes in due season, has his intelligence awakened. The calm at sea is a phenomenon that has great power over the imagination. We have nothing to do with Mr. Locke's refutation of the theory of innate ideas. Ideas, however, rise in the mind spontaneously, and often so strange as, apparently, to have no sort of connection with external objects or circumstances. Men dream whilst awake, but what are dreams, properly so called? It has been asserted that dreams never occur during profound sleep, probably from the supposition that under the condition the memory is dormant. The assertion may be questioned, though it would not be an easy matter to prove either; like sleep, the dream is a phenomenon the cause of which is not clearly comprehended. But, if the latter be a malady, its origin seems not to be altogether confined to the head, but has its range in the disordered stomach, which acts through sympathy upon the brain;-that is proved in drunkenness, therefore, beware of grog! * Their light does not affect the thermometers. That a calm should affect the imagination may easily be believed. Think of "the lone ship, the world of waters circling round, and bounded by the sky, nothing but the heavens and the ocean visible, as if the vessel stood besides the only solitary thing in the creation! If external objects make impressions, these must have their force, and the more, as being few there is nothing to distract attention." Besides, the calm, the stillness, almost solemn, and often profound, save the creaking occasionally of the ship's furniture, or the flap of the sails, has a powerful influence on the animal spirits, especially within the torrid zone. upon In situations of this sort, the imagination is affected by the loneliness of the thinking being*; and in addition to the serenitude of the air, there is the overpowering fierceness, within the tropics, of the sun's rays, darting down a flood of glorious light, too dazzling to be borne without cover for even a very short time. Then, the oppressive oven-like heat, acting the body as a vapour-bath, creates a determination of blood to the head, upon the least exertion, stupifying the intellects until they become feeble, and almost incapable of action; indeed, from incautious exposure the effect has often been a coup de soleil; and, under any circumstances, in the absence of wind, langour is produced, and not unfrequently from enervation, an irritability of the temper. Excitement, which gives buoyancy to the spirits is entirely banished, and the sympathy between the body and the mind, in extreme cases, almost robs the latter of rational ideas; there is nothing, external at least, to cause their action, a healthy action, and with the profound rest of the elements, the mind does not under its influence sympathize; and the only pleasing sensation produced by thought is, the hope of change, and which even the incalescent state of the temper is unable to smother; no, not even in the "horse latitudes" under a six weeks' trial; or the partially oblivious condition of the seat of thought during slumber, entirely to banish, And thus, the light, Heaven directed, shines Such, such is hope. To man, what a blessing is hope, the halo of the heart? True, it is said to be deceitful, and often false; that is to say according to finite reason. Perhaps if we knew all, or were capable of comprehending all, so to our advantage; indeed, the proof sometimes appears clear and distinct from some sudden turn in our affairs. But let dissatisfied man complain as he will, still it is a blessing, confirmed in this, where confirmation be required, that he is always calling it up to cheer him in his pilgrimage. What would he do without it? * Man is frequently solitary, without being alone. To constitute a state of solitude, it is sufficient that the mind is entirely absorbed by those ideas which originate in its own reflections.-Zimmerman. 66 It is the very life-spring of the soul! the buoyant float of the heart that keeps it from sinking into the unfathomable depths which despair would lay in his path, and into which he would fall were it not for the light of its flambeau. Yet, the ingrate man is but too often thankless! Pope, I think it was who said of Hope, nor quits when we die." The sick man hopes for life; but should he feel the conviction that death is stealing over him, whilst reason lasts, he hopes for the better life, and thus it clings to him to the last. Hope is a merciful bestowal; prescience, which pertains alone to the God-head, if possessed by man, as he is in other respects constituted, would overwhelm him in misery. There is no stronger confirmation of the value of hope, than the avowed feelings of the seaman in such a situation as we have attempted to describe. In what direction would he turn his thoughts if he had not such a help to support his spirits under the severe trial of weeks of profound calm at sea? To Heaven with uplift hands! That is hope! there emanates it! But may not the physical calm be made subservient to moral good? Is it not a time, when not a breath of air moves, for deep sober reflection at sea? If we were then to ask ourselves the simple question, "why we hope?" it might lead to a train of others in the right direction, from which, assuredly, if there be any gratitude in our nature, we must profit. We commend the subject to our brother tars when becalmed. OCEANUS. DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS.-Atlantic. THE following statement of an attempt at obtaining deep-sea soundings has been addressed by Capt. Barnett of H.M.S. Thunder, to the Hydrographer of the Admiralty. Capt. Barnett after observing that the latitudes and longitudes of the places tried from, were most carefully deter. mined, says: You will perceive that on the last occasion the attempt was made with a line of iron wire, the suggestion and contrivance of Lieut. Mooney of the Thunder. About 1000 fathoms of the wire remained perfect after the experiment, and conceiving it would become useful for a similar purpose hereafter, I have had it carefully reeled on again, well oiled and protected by a cover of painted canvass, and left in charge of the storekeeper at Sheerness. Abstract of deep-sea soundings between St. Thomas and Bermuda, 10th July, 1848, lat. 25° 55' N., long. 66° 0' W.-no current. NO. 3.-VOL. XVIII. R |