The Master who took a Survey of it by order from the Governour of Terceira, lays it down, a League long, a Mile broad, a little above the surface of the Water, and smoking like a Volcano. After the Eruption, the Sea for several Leagues round was covered with Pumice-stone, and half-broiled Fish. I was curious to know what Symptoms (if any) had preceded this Prodigy at the other Islands; and learned that Pico, one of them, a noted Volcano, had ceased to burn for some time, and that they had felt a Shock or two of an Earthquake that had done considerable damage. Corvo, an Island in this Neighbourhood ([5]Albert de Mandelzo tells us) started up also in such manner, June 16, 1628. And History relates the like in the Archipelago.
That new Islands should be formed in Rivers, as at the Conflux of the Save with the Danube, or Sands shifting in any Channels, may be from the Swiftness of the Streams, wasting some and raising others; but that this Effect should happen in deep Water, 50 or 60 Miles from Shore, is truly wonderful: The Phænomenon seems best resolved here, by subterranean Fires, which from a great Depth and Extent have their Vents at Volcanoes; and as the Consumption of their Materials is more, the nigher they are such Vents (observable in Italy, Iceland, &c.) so their Effects in the neighbourhood of Waters (when by any Accident the Mouth is stopp’d, and they meet) must be Concussions of the Earth, blowing the Mountains away in Cinders; and now and then in Ages, such a Wonder as a new Island, the same as we see (if we may compare great things with small) in several Chymical Preparations. This Island has settled, and probably by the Spunginess of its Materials, may sink in a few Years out of sight again. The ultimate End, is perhaps to strike Mankind with a Dread of Providence, and warn a sinful World against the Consequences of angry Omnipotence: Men generally taking a deeper Impression from something new and wonderful in Nature, than in the Creation or Conservation of the World it self.
CANARIES.
From Madeira we sailed by the Canary Islands, belonging to the Spaniards, and taken by them in 1418.
Palma, remarkable for rich Wines, making 12000 Pipes per Annum.
Ferro, or Ferrara, for our Navigators taking their first Meridian from thence, there being none, or the least Variation; and for a Volcano that now and then breaks out upon it. One in November 1677, seen five Days; and in 1692 broke out again with Earthquakes, and seen six Weeks together: There is also, our Voyages say, a wonderful Tree on it, forty Foot high, that condenses the Clouds in such quantity, as to supply the want of Springs.
Grand Canary, the chief Residence for Governours and Consuls; and Teneriff, for its noted Pike, thought from the shewing it self singly, to be the highest Land in the World. It is a Pyramidal Heap of rough Rocks piled thus (it’s thought by Naturalists) from some subterraneous Conflagration that burst out heretofore.
The Ancients called them Insulæ fortunatæ; it’s likely from the Interception they may have given to the Destruction of Coasters blown off, before the use of the Compass: Cape Non on the Continent being the utmost of their Navigation.
