perience; but we found
considerable variations from it, both in regard to the steadiness of
the winds, and the quarters from whence they blew. For though we met
with a N.E. wind about lat. 28 deg. N. yet, from lat. 25 deg. N. to 18 deg. N the
wind was never once to the northward of E. but almost constantly to
the southward of it. From thence, however, to 6 deg. 20' N. we had it
usually to the northward of E. though not always, as it changed for a
short time to E.S.E. From 6 deg. 20' N. to about 4 deg. 46' N. the weather was
very unsettled, the wind being sometimes N.E. then changing to S.E.
and sometimes we had a dead calm, with small rain and lightning. After
this, to the lat. of 7 deg. 30' S. the wind continued almost invariably
between S. and E. and then again as invariably between N. and E. till
we came to 15 deg. 30' S. then E. and S.E. to 21 deg. 37' S. After this, even
to 27 deg. 44' S. the wind was never once between S. and E. though we
had it in all the other quarters of the compass; though this last
circumstance may be in some measure accounted for from our approach to
the coast of Brazil.

I do not mention these particulars with a view of cavilling at the
received accounts of these trade-winds, which, I doubt not, are
sufficiently accurate; but I thought it worthy of public notice, that
such deviations from the established rules do sometimes take place.
This observation may not only be of service to navigators, by putting
them on their guard against these hitherto unexplained and unnoticed
irregularities, but it is also a circumstance that requires to be
attended to in the solution of the great question about the causes
of trade-winds and monsoons; a question which, in my opinion, has not
been hitherto discussed with that clearness and accuracy which
its importance demands, whether it be considered in a naval or a
philosophical point of view.

On the 16th November, one of our victuallers made a signal to speak
with the commodore, and we shortened sail for her to come up with us.
The master came on board, and represented to Mr Anson, that, having
complied with the terms of his charter-party, he now desired to be
unloaded and discharged. On consulting the captain of the squadron,
it was found all the ships had still such quantities of provisions
between their decks, and were also so deep, that they could only take
in their proportions of brandy from the Industry pink, one of the
victuallers; and consequently