, seems sufficiently to prove the loyalty of the Philippines,
and the little probability of their revolting, especially if the
mother-country does not show herself wholly a stepmother to her dutiful
children.

On the 10th of January our frigate was ready to sail, and we left
Manilla, the whole crew being in perfect health.

ST. HELENA.

ST. HELENA.

A fresh north-east monsoon expedited our voyage, and we cut the equator
on the 21st of January, in the longitude 253 deg. 38'; then passing
between the islands of Sumatra and Java, we reached the ocean, after
having safely traversed the Chinese Sea from its northern to its southern
boundary, and directed our course towards the Cape of Good Hope, where
we intended staying to refresh. When we had reached to longitude 256
deg., 12 deg. south latitude, the east wind, contrary to all rules at
this season, changed for a westerly one, and blew a strong gale; the sky
was covered with black clouds, and the rain fell in torrents. At midnight,
while the storm was still raging, and the darkness complete, we witnessed
the phenomenon known by the name of Castor and Pollux, and which
originates in the electricity of the atmosphere; these were two bright
balls of the size which the planet Venus appears to us, and of the same
clear light; we saw them at two distinct periods, which followed quickly
upon each other in the same place, that is, some inches below the extreme
point of our main-yard, and at about half a foot distance asunder. Their
appearance lasted some minutes, and made a great impression on the crew,
who did not understand its cause. I must confess, that in the utter
darkness, amidst the howling of the storm and the roaring of the water,
there was something awful in the sight.

Our passage was rendered tedious by contrary winds. On the 22nd of
February, we crossed the meridian of the Isle of France, three hundred
and forty miles off the island, in very stormy weather, and heard
afterwards at St. Helena, that a hurricane raged at this time near the
Isle of France, causing great damage to many vessels, and to some of
them the loss of their masts. We should have probably shared in this
danger had we been a hundred miles nearer the coast. I must here
recommend every navigator, if possible, to keep clear of the two isles
of France and Bourbon, from the middle of January till the middle of
March, as, during that season, violent hurricanes continually rage
there, wh