Anchors loſt there by the Portugueze Ships; and farther out (in 14 Fathom) corally and Rocky. July is the worſt and Winter Seaſon of this Coaſt, the Trade Winds being then very ſtrong and dead, bringing in a prodigious and unſafe Swell into the Road, intermixed every Day with Squalls, Rain, and a hazey Horizon, but at other times ſerener Skies and Sunſhine.
In theſe Southern Latitudes is a Conſtellation, which from ſome Reſemblance it bears to a Jeruſalem Croſs, has the Name of Croſiers, the brighteſt of this Hemiſphere, and are obſerved by, as the North Star is in Northern Latitudes; but what I mention this for, is, to introduce the admirable Phænomenon in theſe Seas of the Megellanick Clouds, whoſe Riſings and Sittings are ſo regular, that I have been aſſured, the ſame Nocturnal Obſervations are made by them as by the Stars; They are two Clouds, ſmall and whitiſh, no larger in Appearance than a Man’s Hat, and are ſeen here in July in the Latitude of 8° S. about four of the Clock in the Morning; if their Appearance ſhould be ſaid to be the Reflection of Light, from ſome Stellary Bodies above them, yet the Difficulty is not eaſily anſwered, how theſe, beyond others, become ſo durable and regular in their Motions.
From theſe caſual Obſervations on the Country, the Towns, Coaſt, and Seas of Braſil, it would be an Omiſſion to leave the Subject, without ſome Eſſay on an interloping Slave Trade here, which none of our Countrymen are adventrous enough to purſue, though it very probably, under a prudent Manager, would be attended with Safety and very great Profit; and I admire the more it is not ſtruck at, becauſe Ships from the Southern Coaſt of Africa, don’t lengthen the Voyage to the Weſt-Indies a great deal, by taking a Part of Braſil in their Way.
