as it had done at the same time of year in 1801. At my recommendation
lieutenant Taylor did not run so far west as ships usually do in
returning to England, but passed the Cape-Verdes not further distant than
sixty leagues; we there met the north-east trade, and on the 29th Mr.
Taylor took the brig Atalante from Mauritius.

[IN ENGLAND]

OCTOBER 1810

On reaching the latitude 223/4 deg. north and longitude 33 deg. west, the
north-east trade veered to east and south-eastward, which enabled us to
make some easting; and being succeeded by north-west winds, we passed
within the Azores, and took a fresh departure from St. Mary's on the 15th
of October. Soundings in 75 fathoms were obtained on the 21st, at the
entrance of the English Channel; but it then blew a gale of wind from the
westward, and obliged us to lie to on this, as it did on the following
night; and it was greatly feared that the cutter would be driven on the
coast of France, near the Casket rocks. In the morning of the 23rd, the
wind being more moderate, we made sail to the northward, and got sight of
the Bill of Portland; and at five in the evening came to an anchor in
Studland Bay, off the entrance of Pool Harbour, after a run from St.
Helena of six weeks; which in an indifferent sailing vessel, very leaky,
and excessively ill found, must be considered an excellent passage.

Captain Parkinson and lieutenant Robb went off the same night with their
despatches; and next morning we ran through the Needles and came to at
Spithead, where the prize brig, from which we had been long separated,
had just before dropped her anchor. I went on shore to wait upon admiral
sir Roger Curtis, and the same evening set off for London; having been
absent from England nine years and three months, and nearly four years
and a half without intelligence from any part of my connexions.

The account of the Investigator's voyage, and of the events resulting
from it is concluded; but there is one or two circumstances which the
naval reader may probably desire to see further explained.

A regulation adopted at the Admiralty forbids any officer to be promoted
whilst a prisoner, upon the principle apparently, that officers in that
situation have almost always to undergo a court martial, which cannot be
done until they are set at liberty. My case was made subject to this
regulation, although it required no court martial; and was moreover so
different to that of prisoners in general, th