A light breeze sprang up, and at half-past 3 P.M. the anchorage, eleven and a half fathoms in depth, was reached. The frigate now lay in front of the Alameda or public gardens of Gibraltar, situated near the town gate, called the Ragged Staff. This anchorage is tolerably safe at this season, but in autumn and winter, as well as generally in strong easterly winds, it is not to be recommended, it being preferable to haul further in towards the place where the merchant-vessels usually lie. We saluted the English flag on the fortress with twenty-one guns, which were immediately answered from the ramparts. There were no English men-of-war in the Roads, except the sloop _Curlew_, Capt. Horton. The following morning our consort, the _Caroline_, anchored in our vicinity.
The first day of the arrival of a man-of-war in harbour is attended with much inconvenience, particularly if she carries the flag of the Commodore, or it happens that the mail packets are arriving or departing, or that there are many ships of war in the Roads. The latter was not now the case, but so many visitors, letters, and newspapers arrived at once, that neither the one nor the other could be thoroughly enjoyed.
The local authorities, the governor, Sir James Fergusson, at their head, were extremely obliging and attentive; Mr. Falkland, an officer of the Engineers, was placed at our disposal; a specially-reserved site was assigned us for astronomical and magnetical observations; huts were erected by the workmen of the arsenal for the protection of the instruments, and in short everything, calculated to promote scientific labours, was provided. The Chancellor of the Austrian Consulate, Mr. John Frembly, himself a geologist, proved likewise to be of great service to our scientific men: and it was considered a fortunate omen to have found, at this our first anchorage, so much sympathy with the objects of the Expedition.
[Illustration: VIEW OF GIBRALTAR FROM SEAWARD.]
STAY FROM THE 20TH TO THE 30TH MAY, 1857.
Political Significance of the Rock.--Courtesy of the British Authorities.--Fortifications.--Signal Stations.--The only place in Europe frequented by Monkeys.--Calcareous Caves.-- Chief Entrances into the Town.--Shutting the Town Gates.-- Public Establishments.--Inhabitants.--Elliott's Gardens.--The Isthmus, or Neutral Ground.--Algeziras.--Ceuta.--Commerce and Navigation.--Excellent regulation in the English Navy relative to Officers' Outfit.--Small-pox appears on Board the _Caroline_.--Departure from Gibraltar.--A Fata Morgana.--The _Novara_ passes the Straits.--Take leave of Europe.--Voyage to Madeira.--Floating Bottles to ascertain the Currents.--Arrival in the Roads of Funchal.