The Azores are a group of 9 islands all belonging to Portugal, called also the Western islands, there names are Flores, Pico, Fayal, Corvo, Gratcioso, Terceira, St. Miguel, St. Jorge & St. Maria. St. Michael is the largest & is where the greater part of the oranges are grown that come to England, 250,000 boxes being the average annual export. They are all fertile & all inhabited, the total population is 252,000 & the total area 1150 sq. miles. The islands are nearly all over 5000 ft high & the Peak of Pico, the highest point of the lot is over 8000 ft. high. They are 800 miles West of Portugal, & only 1100 from Southampton so that we might be home in 5 days if we wished. Ships homeward bound fr0m Australia generally sight these islands & consider themselves nearly home when they see them. Perhaps 3 years hence we may sight them again & whistle for a fair wind up channel.