Geology^ and Climate of the Island of Madeira. 375 



with little chanco of disappointment, to day after day of clear 

 and cloudless sunshine ; while every degree of temperature can 

 be readily enjoyed on the adjacent heights ; and even on tho 

 coast, the sea-breeze prevents any excess of heat from being 

 annoying, and tho rich verdure of the almost tropical vegeta- 

 tion affords a shelter from the direct influence of tho sun. In 

 such a climate, it is not surprising that the foot should tread 

 lightly, and the heart beat gladly ; that the approach of inci- 

 pient disease should often be checked, and the constitution 

 strengthened, so as to resist its future influence ; and that alle- 

 viation of suffering and prolongation of life have here been found 

 by many whom a rapid fate would have carried off in a less* 

 genial situation. Those who have visited Madeira have rarely 

 been disappointed in what they had been led to expect regard- 

 ing the climate, and many have been surprised to find its scene- 

 ry also the finest in the world. To this many travellers have 

 given their testimony ; and certainly no combination of natu- 

 ral objects could be conceived more grand than some of those 

 in the north of the island. So far as the geological structure 

 is connected with the general aspect of the island, I should 

 say that that which constitutes the peculiar feature in Ma- 

 deiran scenery, and is the cause of its surpassing grandeur, is, 

 that the country has all the air of rude and rugged wildness 

 resulting from the confusion and havoc of comparatively recent 

 volcanic action, while its scenes are at the same time on a scale 

 of alpine magnificence. When we find, amongst this wild 

 scenery, landscapes of a grace and variety of loveliness no- 

 where else surpassed, and a climate proverbially the finest in 

 the world, we need not be surprised at the enthusiastic way in 

 which many travellers have described the island, or at the 

 names by which the Portuguese love to designate it, as the 

 " Flower of the Ocean,"' the " Queen of the Atlantic." 



