CHAPTER IV.




_The Author proceeds to London.--Re-embarks for Africa.--Arrives at
Madeira.--Observations on that Island.--Prosecution of the Voyage, and
Arrival in the Sierra Leone River, &c._


Our happy arrival was celebrated at the Crown inn, where Captain Webb and
his first Lieutenant (Younger) joined us; we dined together, and separated
with mutual kind wishes. The next morning Mr. Burrowes and myself proceeded
to London, and were once more rapidly conducted into its busy scene.

Without even time to greet my friends, I again left town for Portsmouth, to
commit myself to the watery element, and revisit the shores. I had so
recently left; and on the 22d of September sailed, in the ship Andersons,
from St. Helen's, under convoy of the Arab post sloop of war, commanded by
Keith Maxwell, Esq. and the Favorite sloop of war, by John Davie, Esq.

We anchored in Funchal Roads, island of Madeira, on Saturday the lath of
October, without experiencing any remarkable event.

When approaching the island of Madeira, it exhibits to the eye a strikingly
beautiful and picturesque view. The uneven surface of the hills, covered
with plantations of vines, and various kinds of herbage, with the exception
of partial spots burnt up by the heat of the sun in the dry season,
displays a singular perspective, which, with the beautiful appearance of
the interspersed villas, churches, and monasteries, form an arrangement