193 NARRATIVE. 



Manoel's caprice. The higher part of this curious island, till 

 lately, was inaccessible, except by means of a rope which raised 

 and lowered the inhabitants whenever they exchanged visits. A 

 former bishop of St. Jago, who thought it his dvity to inspect 

 every part of his see, was drawn up in this manner, and, upon 

 arriving unhurt at the top, gave thanks to God ; but not having 

 courage to descend, resolved never to return, and he gave up the 

 world, and died there a few years after. A communication is now 

 formed, by means of a narrow road cut out of the rock. It is 

 only wide enough for one ass, and if two were to meet in it, one 

 must infallibly perish, as they could neither pass each other, nor 

 turn back. To remedy this, a flag is hoisted at either end, as 

 soon as one commences the journey, which being visible at the 

 opposite starting point, warns the inhabitants not to proceed. 

 The climate of the elevated part is supposed to approach that of 

 Lisbon in temperature and purity. The luscious wine of the 

 Cape de Verde Islands, is chiefly made at St. Antonio ; it is the 

 colour of Madeira, but resembles mead in taste. 



Fogo may be seen from Bona ^'^ista on a very clear day, a 

 distance of about sixty miles. It frequently presents a beautiful 

 spectacle, as the flames are every now and then seen to issue from 

 the top. The ascent did not promise more difficulty than that of 

 Teneriffe, and five days were allotted, as ample time for its 

 complete inspection. We were told much of the enormous 

 quantities of pure sulphui', which he unheeded at its summit, and 

 which could be made a valuable article of commerce ; we were 

 also assured, that the vegetation of the lower part was most 

 luxuriant. All these accounts served but to heighten Mr. Bow- 

 .dich's wishes, and eventually to increase his disappointment, for 

 after having three times prepared for departure, with the expecta- 

 tion of sailing in two hovirs, we were at last made happy by an 

 opportunity of proceeding in a vessel belonging to our host, and 



