the tide runs with considerable strength, the flood from the S.S.W., and the ebb from the N.N.E., at nearly 2 miles an hour.

RIVER GIRONDE.-From the Maumusson Channel the coast runs to the S.W. S., about 6 miles, to Point de la Coubre, at the northern side of the entrance to the Gironde River. The shore is low all the way, and shoal some distance out, so that it is necessary, when making the river, to give it a good offing, more especially as a bank of 2 to 3 fathoms, named the Demi Bank, runs out 3 miles to the westward of Point de la Coubre. A mark to avoid these banks is, not go within the line of the beacon, on the south shore of the Maumusson Channel, bearing E. by N.

The entrance of the river is readily distinguished by the Tower of Cordouan, which stands on a bed of rocks nearly midway of the entrance, and has long been esteemed the most elegant structure of the kind in Europe. It exhibits a revolving light, at the elevation of 207 feet above the level of the sea, visible 8 leagues. The eclipses of this light succeed each other at intervals of one minute, every bright flash being preceded by a flash less brilliant. In ordinary weather, the eclipses do not appear total within the distance of 8 miles. Point de la Coubre is low, with some sand-hills rising inland. Upon it there is a small lighthouse, which shows a fixed light at 66 feet above the sea, visible 10 miles. From hence the land bends to the eastward about 34 miles, and then runs southerly 2 miles farther, forming a small bay, in which is a dangerous bank named the Barre a l'Anglais, upon which there not more than 2 to 3 fathoms, and in some places very much less water. Near the point there are a small battery, a semaphore, and two beacons, with lozenge heads.

At 5 miles farther in the river, is the Point and battery of Terre-Negre, with a beacon-tower and light by night. This light is fixed at 118 feet above the sea, visible in clear weather about 10 miles, and can be seen only southward of the line of the Towers of Terre-Negre and St. Palais in one.

Beyond Terre-Negre, to the eastward, are the Mill, Church, and Village of St. Palais, and between 2 and 3 miles farther are the Column and Semaphore of Chay, with a beacon and the conspicuous church of Royan. At Royan there is a small fixed tide-light, situated on the point of the Corps de Garde, at 559 feet from the end of the jetty; it is 36 feet above the level of the sea, and can be seen about 2 leagues.

At 2 miles above Royan, at the back of a sandy cove, are the Village and Mills of St. George de Didonne; and at half a league southward of this is the Point of Suzac. At a mile and a quarter above Suzac Point, on the shore, is the Semaphore de Bel Air; and within a mile higher are the Village, Church, Mills, and Forts of Mechers.

Opposite to the Cove of Royan, on the western bank of the river, is the Point de Grave, with its fixed light, which is shown from a wooden building at 39 feet above the sea, and can be seen 9 miles; and, at 2 miles without this, on the sea coast, are the Beacon and Semaphore of St. Nicolas, which serve as a mark for the Passe de Grave. At 2 miles to the southward of Point de Grave, on the river, is the Village of Verdon, with its mill, &c.

There are many towns and villages situated upon the banks of the Gironde, but no trading-place of any consequence until we reach the small town of Pauillac, situated on the western shore, at about 25 miles from Point de Grave. Here a small tide-light is shown from the landing-place, which can be seen about 4 miles. About 5 miles farther in the river, but on the opposite side, is the Town of Blaye, remarkable for its castle or citadel, protecting the river, which is here impeded by a long range of islets or shoals. Here three is also a tide-light, which is fixed, and can be seen at the distance

of 4 miles. On the opposite site bank of the river is the strong Fort of Medoc, which commands the western channel. At 7 miles above Blaye, is the conflux of the Rivers Dordogne and Garonne, the united streams of which form the Gironde. Above this junction of rivers, at the distance of 13 miles, and seated on the western shore of the Garonne, is the commercial City of Bordeaux.

The banks at the mouth of the river, occupy a space of about 12 miles in a northerly and southerly direction, and are extremely dangerous throughout their whole extent.

THE PASSE DU NORD, on the northern side of the mouth of the river, has a bar running across its entrance, upon which there are not more than 28 to 30 feet at low water; its general breadth is about one mile, and within it the water deepens to 6 and 12 fathoms. This channel is bounded on the northern side by the Demi Bank, which extends to the westward from Point de la Coubre, and by the Barre à l' Anglais, both of which banks have already been described. On the outer edge of this last-mentioned bank is a depth of from 2 to 3 fathoms, but within it, in the Bonne Anse, there are 6 to 8 fathoms; and vessels must carefully avoid getting embayed in this, as it forms a cul-de-sac.

On the south side of the Passe du Nord, off the Point de la Coubre, is La Mauvaise Banc, having on it 2 fathoms, and which contracts the passage here to little more than half a mile. The southerly continuation of this shoal is named Le Grand Banc, which is joined on to the S.E. by the Plateau de Cordouan, in the midst of which is the celebrated lighthouse. On the N.E. side of the Plateau is the Monrevel Bank, which limits the channel on the south, having a depth of only three-quarters of a fathom, at a mile and a quarter W.S.W. of the sandy point below Terre-Negre, which is about 5 miles above Point de la Coubre. Hence the channel is wide and clear up to Point de Grave, the southern entrance to the river. Off this latter point is a shoal of 4 fathoms, extending a mile N. of the point, named Le Saut de Grave. The depth throughout the channel varies from 4 to 5 fathoms.

This was the state of the Passe du Nord at the period of the survey in 1825, but it has been remarked by the surveyors that "this fine passage is limited by sand-banks, which shift their position; from which cause it would be imprudent to attempt to take in a large ship without the aid of a river pilot (pilote lamaneur), both on account that buoys do not mark the outer entrance, and of the north point of the Mauvaise Bank, and of the western point of the Barre à l' Anglaise."

THE PASSE DE GRAVE, the southern passage, lies between Le Chevrier, a patch with only 3 feet on it at low water, lying 4 miles westward of the Beacon of St. Nicolas, and the Banc des Olives, an extensive bank extending 24 miles off-shore, on the outer edge of which are from 2 to 4 fathoms, but having patches with little more than a fathom in different parts.

The Passe de Grave is not deep; but navigators who cannot procure pilots have reason to prefer it to the Passe du Nord, because its entrance and direction are well marked by objects on land; and it is also of small extent, and can be cleared in a few hours. The entrance of the channel is exactly in the direction of St. Nicolas Beacon and Semaphore in one, and the interior part of the channel, of the Tour du Chay in one with St. Pierre de Royan; and if these marks are followed exactly, there will be found at least a depth of 12 feet at low water, spring-tides, in the shoalest parts; but if it is unavoidable that the true direction must be departed from, there must not be a greater depth than 8 feet calculated upon. The nature of the bottom in the Passe de Grave would lead to the belief that the depth in the channel varies but little.

It has been recently observed, that when the weather is hazy, and when there is the appearance of a calm, vessels should avoid entering the river, because at such times a heavy swell of the sea will frequently arise in an instant. This phenomenon is called by the pilots Le Brume Sèche, or the Dry Fog: it is a sort of mist, accompanied by a calm, which is invariably followed by a great swell in all the channels.

M. Beautempts Beaupré advises mariners going into the River Gironde through this passage, not to approach the Plateau de Cordouan nearer than when the Church of Royan is seen on with the Tour du Chay; and also to avoid going too far away from this directing mark on the eastern side; because the stream of flood comes with such great force upon the coast of Medoc, that in many cases it will be almost impossible to keep the vessel thoroughly under command.

He says further that "the pilots of the Gironde are not well acquainted with all the dangerous points in the Passe de Grave; but experience has taught them all that are essential, which they know how to avoid. They know and are well aware

1st. That the two directions of the Passage are well marked, viz., the exterior part of the channel by the Semaphore of St. Nicolas, and the Beacon placed at the foot of the Downs; and the interior, or northern part of the channel, by the Church of St Royan and the Tour du Chay.

2dly. That they cannot reckon upon more than 12 feet depth at low water. 3dly. That they should not, in tacking, incline to the westward of the mark given of St. Pierre de Royan Church in one with the Tour du Chay, for fear of falling on the rock of the Chevrier, or of the Ruffiat.

4thly. That when the wind is favourable for them to make the direct route, they must steer so as to keep the Tower of St. Pierre de Royan open its own breadth to the right of the Tour du Chay.

5thly. That they ought not to venture too near to the coast of Medoc in tacking, on account of the current of flood setting so strong on that shore, rendering it extremely dangerous to anchor any where, although there are many places where the points are sandy.

6thly. That they should never attempt to leave the river by this channel with a large ship, except when the tide is rising, and the wind favourable. 7thly. That they must never anchor in the Passe de Grave, unless unavoidable.

8thly. That at all times a preference should be given to the Passe du Nord, either going into, or sailing out of, the Gironde, when circumstances will allow them to take their choice, as the depth is greater, and particularly as the ground is good for anchorage in all parts.

In 1815 a beacon was erected upon Fort du Chay, but it has since fallen ;. and the sands having in some places grown up and altered since that time, it will be of no use to replace it, as it would now lead too near to the shores of Medoc. Another beacon was placed at the same time near St. Palais, which being seen in one with the Tower of St. Palais, was a third direction to enable you to pass through the interior of the Passe de Grave, within the Gironde; but this beacon can hardly ever be seen when you are in the southern part of the Passe de Grave: it is therefore of very little use; first, because it gives a direction across the current, and, for this reason, it would always be very difficult to follow; farther, it would lead you over shallows, over which the sea is more dangerous than among those found to the eastward, in the direction of St. Pierre de Royan on with Tour du Chay: even

• Avis aux Navigateurs sur l'etat actuel des Passes de l' Embouchure de la Gironde. Paris, 1826.

the pilots avoid keeping this mark of the beacon on with the Church of St. Palais.

To the above, M. Beautemps Beaupré adds, page 18, "that to pass into the interior channel by the Passe de Grave, you must, after passing the Ruffiat, continue to steer in the direction of the Church de Royan on with the Tour du Chay, until you have doubled a great cluster of rocks and gravel, which runs out from the Point de Grave, stretching into the river more than 1100 toises N. 10° E. (true), or nearly N. E. by N. by compass, from the beacon which stands upon this point. This cluster, which the pilots name Le Saut de Grave, the sea constantly breaks over; and they do not appear to have been mentioned on any of the former charts. There is no fear of your touching thereon, even with a large vessel, because there are 27 feet over them at low water; but the rough seas which, in bad weather, you will occasionally encounter, may be likely to do your vessels some serious injury.

In 1846 the following notice was issued from the Port of Bordeaux ;ENTRANCE OF THE GIRONDE.-High water at Cordouan, on the full and change days of the moon, at 3 to 4 o'clock. Several buoys have been placed at the entrance of the Gironde; but as no instructions whatever have been published for the guidance of navigators, the following indications have been collected, and lately rectified, with the assistance of the ablest branchpilots, by Serizier and Lafitte, ship-brokers, for the information of captains of vessels, who may not happen to find pilots off Cordouan Lighthouse.

NORTH CHANNEL.-In the North Channel are 7 buoys, the 1st of which is a red can and fairway buoy, with a staff about 15 feet long, and a small bell at the top, placed in about 40 feet water, in the middle of the channel, about 9 miles N.N.W. of Cordouan Lighthouse, the lighthouse on the Point de la Coubre bearing E.S.E., 3° South, distant about 4 miles. The straight course in is S.E. by compass, and you will soon come up with the 2nd red nun-buoy, to be left on the starboard side. A nun-buoy, about half a mile S S.E. of the above buoy, in 30 feet water, on the eastern part of the bank named La Mauvaise; it must be left on the starboard side, distant a cable's length, or rather more when the wind comes from the eastward, the lighthouse on Point de la Coubre bearing E. by S. When the lighthouse of La Coubre bears due North by compass, alter your course to full S.E. S., and you will soon perceive the first of the 3rd and 4th black can-buoys, to be left on the port or larboard side.

Two black can-buoys, placed at nearly a mile distant from each other, on the bank, named the Barre à l' Anglaise, both to be carefully left on the port or larboard side, coming in. The first of them is placed on the northern point of the bank, Cordouan Light bearing S. by W. 4° South, and the lighthouse of Point de la Coubre at N.N.W. The second of these buoys lies nearly a mile inside, on the southern point of the said bank, Cordouan Light bearing S.S.W. 2° South, and the light of Point de la Coubre N.W. by N. Both these buoys are to be left on the port or larboard side; the first at a good cable's length, and the last at about 2 cables' length distant. After passing the first of these two buoys, you will perceive, on the sta board side, the 5th and 6th red nun-buoys; these are to be left on the starboard side.

Firstly one, and farther in another nun-buoy, placed on the Montrevel Bank, the first of which is in 36 feet water, Cordouan Light bearing S. by W. 4° West; the other in 32 feet water, Cordouan bearing S.S.W. W. Both these buoys are to be left on the starboard side, at 1 or 2 cables' length, according to wind and sea.

The 7th is a white can-buoy, to be left on the starboard side. This 7th buoy is placed on a bank, about a mile N. W. of the Tower on Point de

Grave, in about 10 feet water; to be left on the starboard side, distant about 2 cables' length.

PASSE DE GRAVE.-In this channel are 4 can-buoys.-1st.-Red can and fairway buoy.-One large can-buoy, painted red, having a staff about 15 feet long, with a small bell at the top; it lies in the middle of the channel, about 7 miles S.W. of Cordouan, and 2 miles outside the Chevrier Rocks, in a straight line with the two Towers of St. Nicolas, on the beach, due East by compass, which direction is to be followed until you come up to the

2nd. Can and fairway buoy.-A can-buoy, which is smaller than the 1st, painted red. This lies also in the middle of the channel. When you are up to it, alter your course, and steer E.N.E. by compass, in the line of the Steeple of Royan, which must be kept at 2 sails' breadth to the southward of the Tour du Chay; steering thus, you will come up with the 3rd, a black buoy.

3rd.-Black can-buoy, lying near the Ruffiat Shoal; it must be left on the port or larboard side, at about 2 cables' length. Next, at a distance of about half a mile, you will perceive on a newly formed shoal, the

4th.-A white can-buoy, lying N. W. of the tower on Point de Graves, as already described in the North Channel Directions, which is also to be left on the port or larboard side, observing it is necessary to be rather nearer the shore than this shoal.

ESSENTIAL REMARKS.-The different bearings are here indicated by compass, and the depths of water invariably at low water mark.

The various directions of the current at the entrance of the Gironde, should be particularly noticed. It generally runs on the first of the flood to the northward; at half flood to the eastward; at two-thirds flood towards the south-east; at high water to the southward; on the first of the ebb to the southward; at half ebb to the westward; and at two-thirds ebb towards the north-west

As ships are liable to severe penalties by the Custom-house laws of France, for any articles, though belonging to the crew or passengers, especially for prohibited goods found in part of the vessel, if not regularly entered in the manifest, or list of stores, no pains should be spared to ascertain and report the same, before leaving the quarantine ground.

On the arrival of vessels at the lazaretto, the Custom-house requires a duplicate manifest of the cargo, stores, and anything else that may be on board, which must all be reported, but pays no duty if not landed. The principal articles are bread, flour and meal, beef and pork, spirits, wine, beer, coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, molasses, spices, fish, salt, cheese, candles, tobacco, cigars, snuff, paints, oil, canvas, medicine chest, arms, gunpowder, cordage, chronometers and barometers, extra anchors and chains, live stock, &c., ballast of whatever kind, fire-wood or coals.

RATES OF STEAM-BOAT HIRE TO TOW VESSELS UP TO BORDEAUX. From 200 to 350 tons:-From the Lazaretto 400 fr.; Pauillac 350 fr.; Blaye 300 fr.; Larroque 260 fr.; Parque 220 fr.; Lagrange 200 fr.; Bassens 120 fr.; and Lormont 100 fr. From 350 to 500 tons :-From the Lazaretto 450 fr.; Pauillac 400 fr.; Blaye 350 fr.; Larroque 320 fr.; Parque 280 fr.; Lagrange 240 fr.; Bassens 150 fr.; and Lormont 120 fr.

It is not obligatory to employ steamers; that expense can be, and is frequently, avoided without losing time, especially at spring tides.

Inside the river are the following lights;-a light-vessel, on the middle of the eastern edge of the Tallais Bank, which forms the western side of the channel, the eastern side being formed by the Talmont Bank. It is moored in 4 fathoms, with the Point de Grave Light bearing N. by W. W., distant 5047 fathoms; Talmont Steeple E. N., 3527 fathoms; and Richard red