along shore, and standing off when the westerly breezes come on; she will be able to tack most probably the next day, and make a fine start as the wind draws to the southward, which will end, as I have said, in a fair wind and fine weather, during which she should edge in with the land, to be prepared for its further progress round the compass.

I must add here, the great use, indeed the entire dependence, that may be placed upon the "barometer" on this coast: the very marked indications of which here, are probably to be traced to that great difference of the atmosphere, in a given distance, to which I have alluded. I will venture to assert, that it will never prove fallacious in this neighbourhood; its extensive variation, between the fine and bad weather above described, was 30. 6, to 29. 2, inches; and it appears to me, that the greater activity, as it were, which is always prevailing in the atmosphere in high S. latitudes, caused by the nearer presence of ice (by 10 degrees) to the sun-than is the case in the other hemisphere—is a solution of what has long been a problem with me, viz. why the barometer should be so much more active and efficient in S. than in N. latitudes, which it certainly is.

Point Wakefield, in Princess Royal Harbour, is, according to the chart I have referred to in 35° 2′ 5′′ S. and 117′ 53′ 10′′ E. This longitude, I have reason to believe, is correct; from five good chronometers, rated at Cape Town as in longitude 18° 21′ E. and again being rated, before sailing; agreed with the next known meridian, (if, indeed, it can be said to have yet been exactly ascertained,) Swan river. On leaving this place, for India, having experienced one of the heavy gales of this W. coast just as I got under way, I will describe its course; which was exactly what Sir James Stirling had given me reason to expect it would be.

It began at about N. N. E. a little after sunset, as I was working to the N. to get past Rottenest Island. The barometer had indicated this gale for two or three days previously. The night was clear and beautiful as any thing can be imagined, the wind increasing in the most gradual manner, carrying top-gallant sails to it all night. Towards sun-rise, it veered to N.N.W. and the threatening aspect of the heavens was then most awful: at eight, it was N.W. and put us under close-reefed topsails, which were carried on to get clear of the land. At noon, probably 30 miles W. of Rottenest, and as far south. About 4 P.M.; the wind having veered to S. W. put the ship's head to the N.W. reefed the courses, and made all as snug as possible, to get to windward; and carried this sail through the squalls, which were exceedingly heavy for that night and the following, with the intermediate day: during all which, it blew a heavy gale; the day after, however, about noon, it moderated (veering S.) and that so speedily, that we had studding sails set on both sides before night, and were in the S.E. trade.

When it is considered that Swan river is just upon the very verge of this trade-wind, it will, upon consideration of causes and effects, be readily comprehended why any gale, such as I have described, arising from localities belonging to this great continent, must end as I have stated this to have done, and merge in the S. E. trade. And I will add, that it is very fortunate there is this controlling cause at hand, to draw the wind off shore; otherwise, it would be most dangerous to be caught in such gales near the land.

Some notice ought to be taken of tides, currents, and variation of the compass. Respecting the latter, I paid no attention to it; but allowed what was understood to be the amount, ° W. The tides in the sound are not of sufficient importance to be noticed; they never had any influence upon the ship at anchor, for three weeks but in the harbours there is a rise and fall, subject to great irregularity both as to time and degree, but I think it never amounts to five feet, and rarely half that: its velocity also, as will be apparent by inspecting the chart, must amount to something considerable in the narrow passages leading into Princess Royal and Oyster Harbours; but this subject will require a considerable time to attend to, to pretend to give any information upon it. There is, however, a common notion entertained there, that a high tide is a strong indication of the wind coming from the eastward. These tides I observed to occur after the westerly gales had ceased, and the weather become fine; which would, agreeable to the usual course, as described in these remarks, be followed by E. winds; and which is only worth noticing here, as I think it a proof of the currents outside being just such as might be anticipated. A common notion exists, that a current on the S. coast runs continually to the E.-I consider that the W. and S. W. gales of course impels the water in that direction; but as I can see no outlet whereby this water can be said to escape, I take it for granted that, upon the cause ceasing, the water returns, and that during the fine weather there is a current as certainly running alongshore to the W; and I think that this high tide, as observed in Princess Royal Harbour just where it is, is a proof of such being the case.

R. D. MIDDLETON.

Commander of the James Pattison.

[We acknowledge, with pleasure, our obligation to Captain Middleton, for these remarks; and we are quite sure that they will be appreciated by those seamen who are desirous of good information on the coast to which he alludes.-ED.]

LIGHT AT THE POINT OF AIR, RIVER DEE.

"Trinity-House, London, 25th June, 1835. "It having been found advisable to adopt measures for the purpose of rendering the Low Light, exhibited near the base of the tower of the light-house at the Point of Air, distinguishable from all other lights in that vicinity:

"Notice is hereby given,-that from and after the 9th day of July next, a light, coloured red, will be exhibited, instead of the present white light, and will be visible in the Welch Channel, as heretofore, southward of the West Hoyle Sand.

"By Order,

J. HERBERT, Secretary."

DIRECTIONS FOR APPALACHICOLA BAY. By Captain Joseph Cornforth, of the brig Harbinger, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. FROM Cape St. Antonio, or the Dry Tortugas, steer for the middle of St. George's Island. The soundings will be regular as you approach the land, which is extremely low all about, and they will shoal gradually. The above course will take you to the eastward of St. George's Reef, extending eight miles from the south point of St. George's Island. The soundings near the west edge of this reef are very irregular, and not to be depended upon. By running along the island you will meet the reef, and by keeping your lead going it will carry you outside; for, should you fall to the westward, and make Cape St. Blas, or to the westward of it, and a south-west wind come on, and blow hard, you are then between the two reefs, and the current setting along St. Blas Reef, and winding into Appalachicola Bay, you will find some difficulty in keeping to windward; but by being to the eastward of St. George's you will have the current setting to the southward and westward, towards the gulf, and further to the eastward the stronger you will feel it going to windward.

When I was bound to Appalachicola on my last voyage, I made Cape St. Blas, in consequence of the chart being wrong. Although the water was smooth and the breeze fresh, it took me from 4 P.M. till 4 A.M. next morning to double the reef. At 3 A.M. next morning, we found our soundings vary from three fathoms to seven, then a quarter less three, then five, and so on the whole of the time. The lighthouse is on the west end of St. George's Island; which situation renders it of no use coming from the eastward, as a land-mark, until you open it to the westward of St. George's, which is one of my reasons for recommending the island to be steered for about midway. At the West Pass there is a pilot-cutter attends, and it is intended to have one at the East Pass, between Dog Island and George's Island; also a light; which