The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-07-03
For the Northern Galaxy.
LETTERS FROM JAMAICA.
VOYAGE FROM BALTIMORE TO KINGSTON.
Trade Winds.

VOYAGE FROM BALTIMORE TO KINGSTON.
Trade Winds.
Going on deck early in the morning of the
18th, we found the breeze fresh from the n.
E., and were entertaining apprehensions OF
another gale,when our Capt. looking out from
the cabin door, Immediately issued his orders
with stentorian voice, and to our utter amaze
ment, "loose the fore-top-sail; set the spen-
Ger; take the bonnet off the jip." We were
in latitude 80, and instead of being the COM
mencement Of north easter, it was the trade
wind, which sometimes commences in this
| latitude.
Change Of Climate.
! A change of latitude, at this season of the
year carries the traveller in few days thro'
the transitions of winter, spring land summer.
Commencing our journey over deep snow
on the Green Mountains, and having just
experienced Nov. 10y a cold of37 Far, we
observed with much satisfaction the gradual
rise of temperature, until at length the rays
of the sun became excessively hot. During
our STAY in Baltimore from Nov. "a to Dec.
| 8, the mercury fell below the freezing point
/ only four times, the greatest cold being 90 >
/ Far.
After crossing the Gulf stream, we came at
/ once to a milder climate, with temperature
ranging from 55 to 65.0 From lat. 267 N.
| to the Caicos Is, the weather was 10o warm
err, and we preferred shade to sunshine when
on deck. Wooden garments were from this
time entirely dispensed with. Subsequently
to making the Caicos passage, the mercury
ranged from IS to S0,o night and day being
of nearly equal warmth. This was truly de-
lightful, and when the sails tapped indolently
on the yards with the soft breezes, and the
swell rolled on lazily, an infectious Incidence
crept over us, and the mere act of existence
was luxury to be enjoyed without effort OF
body or of mind.
| FLYING fishes, in focks, with their shining
fins and silver sides, were now seen pursuing
a rapid course, doubling in their flight, and
suddenly disappearing in the waves. Natu-
ralists say that these fishes have not much re-
semblance to birds, and travellers say that they
have. Both are correct. Seen at distance
they do resemblance a flock of birds skim
ming over the waves; in the hand, they re-
semble smelt with large fins. Tropical birds
lowered around US, and when we were %
miles off Cape Nichola Mole, ayellow butter
fly made us passing visit, borne by the wind
to the distant coast Of Cuba. We should
have been glad to have heard of the successful
issue of this adventurous fight,
Since entering the Gulf Stream we had
been in an ocean of warm water. From 6S
Far, its temperature gradually increased with
our progress to the South until within the
West Indian seas, where it ranged from so to
s2.e
The change in the aspect of the sky was
equally striking. Instead Of the dark hard &
angry looking clouds of northern winter skies,
we saw. within the tropics, the soft feecy
masses Of, vapor, which are sometimes seen
in the northern summer. The deep cold
azure of the sky is here mellowed into soft
light blue. Never shall forget the sky Of
Dec. 16 in lat. %. Q Small light feecy clouds
were sparsely scattered around the horizon
and between us and the setting sun were ir-
regular but mellow looking masses, dense in
the centre only, the rest with the lustre and
color of polished silver, and the margins bril-
liantly gilded with the dazzling rays of the
sun. This scene was set otto great advan-
tage by the light yet rich warm blue of the
sky above. But words cannot exhibit to 9th
ers the beautiful picture, as it lives in our con-
ceptiOns.