or west by south and the south point of the road south-west half south to
south-west by west is a good situation for anchoring: the depth about
twenty-five fathoms. The distance from the shore will be three quarters
of a mile; and the southernmost land that can be seen then will be a half
or quarter point of the compass farther out than the south point of the
road.

The bottom is black soft mud, with some patches of rocks; for which
reason vessels that lie here any length of time buoy their cables. This
precaution, besides being useful in that particular, they think makes
them ride more easy when there is much sea setting into the road, which,
with the wind any way to the southward of east or at south-west, must be
very considerable; it is therefore usual to moor with four anchors,
though more than two are scarce ever of use. Mooring is however advisable
if a ship is only to remain twenty-four hours, and the tighter the
better, that the cables may keep clear of the ground.

The landing on the beach is generally impracticable with our own boats,
at least without great risk; but there is a very fine pier on which
people may land without difficulty if there is not much swell in the
road. To this pier the water is conveyed by pipes for the use of
shipping, and for which all merchant-ships pay.

There is a degree of wretchedness and want among the lower class of
people which is not anywhere so common as among the Spanish and
Portuguese settlements. To alleviate these evils the present governor of
Tenerife has instituted a most charitable society which he takes the
trouble to superintend; and by considerable contributions a large airy
dwelling that contains one hundred and twenty poor girls and as many men
and boys has been built and endowed with a sufficiency of land round it,