found the weather much colder than it was at
Fernando Po, notwithstanding we were 3 deg. nearer the equinoctial line,
than at the former place, while the thermometer for the last twenty-four
hours, has only ranged from 74 deg. to 78 deg. F. Indeed, it is very
commonly remarked, that the poor slaves brought from the Bights of Benin
and Biafra, for the Brazils, suffer dreadfully from the cold, when they
get into the open sea, and approach the line.

_Thursday, 19_.--There was a fine southerly breeze to-day, and we
crossed the equinoctial line this forenoon, without observing the usual
custom of shaving, having gone through that ceremony on passing the
tropic, before we arrived at Sierra Leone, not expecting, at that time,
the Eden would have occasion to cross the equinoctial line. Latitude, at
noon, 0 deg. 6'. S. steering W. by S. with the wind south. There have been
numberless flying-fish, with a few bonetas and dolphins sporting round
the ship at times, to-day; men-of-war are not very successful in taking
these fish, but in a low, dull sailing merchant-vessel, it is otherwise,
particularly if she is not coppered, and has been sometime in a warm
climate. I consider the dolphin and flying-fish to be exceedingly
palatable food, but the boneta is strongly flavoured, and very close
grained, approaching to the solidity of animal flesh.

_Sunday, 21_.--Latitude, at noon, 28 deg. 19'. S. Still a fresh
trade-wind, but as we advanced from the Bight of Biafra into the Southern
Atlantic Ocean, increasing our distance, at the same time, from the
continent of Africa, we found the wind gradually drawing from the westward
of south, to the eastward of south, until it arrived at that point (S.E.),
which is the prevailing trade-wind of the Southern Atlantic, from the
equinoctial line to about the 28th degree of south latitude, varying a
few degrees from these extremes, according to the season of the year.
Being now in the regular trade-wind, I shall not think it necessary to
trouble my readers with any farther remarks on the common routine of the
duties of a ship, until we come within sight of Ascension,

Whose rocky shores to the glad sailor's eye
Reflect the gleams of morning.

Having run for this little island in the middle of the ocean, during the
night, we saw it immediately on the break of day, of _Wednesday, 25th_,
within a mile of the computed distance, viz. three or four leagues. At
eight, we anchored in N.W. Bay, in ele