| Description | Extracts from journal of Robert Duff, Madeira, sent to his brother James in London, mentioning Francisco Antonio d’Agrella at Setival so destroyed with brandy that he had to be carried on to the boat like a sack of wheat, drought that might affect fermentation, their clerk marrying after a courtship of twenty-two years, the Bishop cutting down old cypresses, ship’s captain who reads and writes poetry in a number of languages and ‘seems to be cracked yet attends well to his business’, the Consul’s ship is at anchor, ‘the Governor has thought proper to suspend the order to fire at vessels coming in, the absurdities committed were beyond number, and it is surprising no fatal accident happened’, weather has driven shops out to sea, delay to Consul’s departure, Royal French vessel has put in on its way to India which looks like war, Smith’s health is no better and he has to wear a large boracho and has boys squirt water in the intrudo, the doctor says it is incurable diabetes, vessels stranded by the weather, list of those affected, reward to the Portuguese boatmen who tried to rescue sailors, meeting the Bishop at a party for the Queen’s birthday, the Consul’s ingrowing toenail, pension for Mr Smyth, great bustle on the beach and servants and porters are very expensive just now, Ayres has contracted his daughter Julia to Counsellor of Justice in St Croix, arrival of an Italian count believed to be an imposter, 22 October 1787 - 1 February 1788 |