und for New York and British North
America. In short, the packets for neither of the latter places could
go or come by Madeira without great inconvenience and loss of time;
whereas, neither would take place if Fayal is made the point of
arrival at and departure from. The latter island is directly in the
course of both the West Indian and homeward-bound South American
packets; and it may be said with equal accuracy, in the outward direct
course of these packets also. Although a little further removed into
the variable winds than Madeira, still it is well known that Fayal
once made, the greatest difficulties in the voyages of the
outward-bound packets are overcome. The distance, also, from Falmouth
to either of these islands is not materially different: from Falmouth
to Madeira direct, is 1170 geographical miles; and from Falmouth to
Fayal direct, 1230 miles. In the outward voyage Fayal is 300 miles
nearer Barbadoes than Madeira; and in the homeward, from Cape Nichola
Mole, 300 also. The distance between Madeira and Rio de Janeiro, and
between the latter and Fayal, is not greatly different, being (taking
in Bahia and Pernambuco) for the latter 3900 miles, and for the former
3800; but from the course which the homeward packet must take through
the trades, the distance to Madeira, as compared with the distance (p. 013)
and course to Fayal, would be increased by 250 miles. On the whole,
considering the advantages and disadvantages to arise from making
either of these islands, viz., Madeira and Fayal, the central points,
it would appear that the balance would considerably incline to be in
favour of any one of the central Azores, say Falmouth and Terceira or
Fayal. Fayal being taken as the central point to which and from which
the packets for the western world are to converge and to diverge, the
arrangements will run as follow:--

The steam-boats from Falmouth to Fayal would carry out all the mails
from Great Britain to the Western World; viz.: for British North
America, for New York, for the British West Indies and all the Gulf of
Mexico, and for the Brazils and Buenos Ayres, as also for Madeira and
Teneriffe. From Falmouth to Fayal is, course S. 55 deg. W. distance 1230
geographical miles. Two steam-boats of 240-horse power each would
perform this work out and home, giving two mails each month, each boat
returning with the mails for Great Britain from all the places
mentioned, to be brought to that island in a manner which w