ARRIVE AT MADEIRA FUNCHAL. 11 



strong'ly with the patches of green upon the slopes^ 

 the deep blue of the ocean, and the dehcate white 

 of the ever-chano-ino- clouds of mist which rolled 

 incessantly along*, while the rug'g-ed summit of the 

 island, and tlie deep ravines radiating* toAvards the 

 coast-rang-e of precipitous cliffs, gave an air of 

 wildiiess to the scene. 



The town of Funchal, said to contain about 25,000 

 inhabitants, is situated upon the slope of an amphi- 

 theatre of hills, behind the only anchorag*e of the 

 ishmd. The finest view is obtained from the balcony 

 of a church dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Monte, 

 situated at a considerable elevation above the town. 

 Here one looks down upon the numerous quintas 

 and cottao-es of the suburbs embosomed in a'ardens 

 and vineyards, the orang-e gToves and clumps of 

 chestnut trees, the snow-white houses of Funchal 

 with its churches and public building's, the citadel 

 frownino* over the town, the calm waters of the bay 

 with the vessels at anchor g'ently heaving- to and 

 fro on the long- vresterly swell, the Ilheo rock and 

 batteries, the bold headlands, and the dim outline 

 of the distant Desertas. Some of the streets are 

 ])leasantty shaded by rows of plane trees (Platcmus 

 occidentalis). Several deep ravines passing* through 

 the town are carefully walled in, to prevent damage 

 being done by the torrents which occasionally sweep 

 down the mountain, carrying everything* before 

 them. From the steepness of the narrow roads 

 and streets, wheeled vehicles can scarcely be used, 



