[52] “Caution.—During strong winds, between W.S.W., round westerly, and N.N.W., the coast to the eastward of Ailly Point is dangerous to be on, and shipwrecks are of frequent occurrence; vessels therefore of every description at that period should keep a good offing, and when obliged to approach it, must do so with great caution; for although the general mass of the above banks appear to be stationary, yet great attention must be paid to the lead, and in observing the confused state of the sea in the various eddies, so as to guard against suddenly meeting with dangers which may be of recent formation. The lights for the purpose of pointing out the position of the headlands and dangers between Capes Antifer and Gris-Nez at night, are so disposed that in clear weather two can always be seen at a time, and the greater number of the harbours have one or more tide lights shown during the time the harbour can be entered.
“It is important to notice that along the coast, between Cape de la Hève and the town of Ault (a space of 67 miles), the wind, when it blows in a direction perpendicular, or nearly so, to the direction of the coast, is reflected by the high cliffs, neutralizing in great measure its original action to a certain extent in the offing, depending upon the strength of the wind. It follows from this, that a zone is formed off the coast and parallel to it (except in front of the wide valleys, where the direct wind meets with no obstacle), where the wind is light, the sea much agitated, and the waves run towards the shore. On the contrary, when the wind forms an acute angle with the coast, the reflected wind contributes to increase the direct wind near the shore.”
[55] As a precaution, I always put on the life-belt when I had to reef, as one is liable then to be jerked overboard; also in strong winds when we ran before them, because in case of getting over board then, it would be difficult to catch the yawl by swimming; also at night when sailing, or when, sleeping on deck, as one might then be suddenly run down. But with all this prudence it happened that on each of the three occasions when I did fall into the water, I had not the life-belt on. The Life-Boat Institution had presented to me one of their life-jackets—an invaluable companion if a long immersion in the water is to be undergone. But for convenience in working the ropes and sails I was content to use the less bulky life-belt. It is conveniently arranged, and you soon forget it as an encumbrance. Indeed on one occasion I walked up to a house without recollecting that my life-belt was upon me when ashore!
[60] The account of these paddlings has been published in ‘A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe,’ 10th edition, and in ‘The Rob Roy in the Baltic,’ 6th edition, both works being profusely illustrated (Low, Marston and Co., Crown Buildings, Fleet Street).
[77] “Fécamp Harbour is difficult to enter at all times, and dangerous to attempt when it blows hard from the westward on account of the heavy sea at the entrance; for should a vessel at that time miss the harbour and ground upon the rocks off Fagnet Point, she would be totally lost.”
[78] A mysterious shell-fish delicacy.
[85] Thick paper round my parcels of books within happily kept them dry.
[98] Very few authors can write books suitable for men with weary bodies and sleepy minds. It is remarkable to see how much attention these men will pay to the words of the Bible and the ‘Pilgrim’s Progress.’ No doubt such readers often read but the surface-sense of both these books; but then even that sense is good, and the deeper meaning is better, while the language of both is superb.
[102] If men’s vices are matched by dogs’ failings, several of our best virtues are at least equalled by those in canine characters; especially courage, fidelity, patience, and forgiveness. It is hard to believe (even if indeed we are at all warranted in believing) that these noble animals are done with existence when they die. It is harder still to see a man cruel to a dog, without feeling pretty sure that the man is not the better of the two. The dog life to be seen at the “Home for lost dogs” is a study for any thoughtful man.
Six empty collars hang in my own room. Each of them belonged to successive dogs called ‘Rob,’ who cruised with me until they were lost or killed.