CHAPTER IV 



VILLA GARDENS TO THE EAST OF FUNCHAL 



ON the east side of the town lie many quintas with 

 good gardens, especially up the very steep Caminho 

 do Monte, or Mount Road, as it is commonly 

 called by the English. The road itself at some 

 seasons of the year is converted into a veritable 

 garden, as its high wall is so clothed with over- 

 hanging creepers which have strayed from the 

 gardens behind, that it presents more the aspect 

 of the terrace wall of a flower garden than that 

 of one of the most frequented highroads of a 

 town. At a height of between 500 and 600 feet, 

 just below the level road which crosses it, which is 

 known as the Levada da Santa Luzia, several villas 

 seem to vie with each other as to which can con- 

 tribute the greatest wealth of plants to decorate 

 the walls. Possibly the best moment to see the 

 road is in December, when the gorgeous mass of 

 colour provided by the great shrubs of poinsettias 



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