Such travellers as may be desirous of making an excursion to these islands, will not only be much gratified by the voyage, but their health will be materially benefited by the congenial breezes of the ocean, and the mild temperature of the atmosphere, which is so peculiar to this part of the coast. The beauty also of the several marine prospects which such an excursion presents to notice, cannot fail to excite the most lively emotions: yet who can enjoy it, without reflecting on the many dreadful shipwrecks which have occurred off the Scilly Islands; especially the melancholy fate of Sir Cloudesly Shovel and his brave companions. Owing, however, to the erection of light-houses, and other salutary measures, such disasters have not been so frequent as formerly. The difficulty of navigating the passage round the Land’s End, is nevertheless very great, and, in many instances, attended with much danger. The contiguity of these islands to the county of Cornwall, renders it necessary that some little notice of them should be given in the present work. From the Land’s End they are distant about nine leagues, and on a clear day are distinctly visible; but from Penzance, from whence the packet sails every Friday, the distance is fourteen leagues. With a fair wind the voyage is generally accomplished in six hours; but on some occasions has lasted two days. According to the most eminent historians, these islands were originally denominated the CASSITERIDES, or TIN ISLES, and their number not to have exceeded _ten_; but their original appearance has been greatly altered, either by the violence of the sea, or some other convulsive effort of nature. At present their number amounts to _one hundred and forty_, although the following only appear to be inhabited; viz. _St. Mary’s_, _St. Agnes_, _St. Martin’s_, _Trescow_, _Bryher_, and _Sampson_. The population of the whole of them, (more than half of which reside in St. Mary’s,) does not exceed 2000.