66 FLOWERS AND GARDENS OF MADEIRA 



" The grounds of Senhor Jose de Carvalhal are 

 the finest in the island, possessing a level surface, 

 which is very difficult to be met with here to any 

 extent. This place was recommended to us for 

 our first ride into the country, and after some 

 delay in making choice of the ponies and burro- 

 quieros that we intended afterwards to patronize, 

 we made our way eastward out of the city. 

 Crossing a bridge over the deep bed of a river, 

 we saw the ruins created by the great flood in 

 1803, when several hundred inhabitants were 

 swept into the sea. We now ascended a steep 

 and narrow road for a distance of two or three 

 miles, passing several of the merchants' houses, 

 from all of which there is a commanding and 

 beautiful view of the city and the bay. The 

 Palheiro, lately the residence of Senhor Carvalhal, 

 by far the richest hidalgo of the island, has been 

 confiscated by the Miguelite Government. Senhor 

 Carvalhal himself had some difficulty in effecting 

 his escape ; however, he got on board an English 

 vessel in the bay, and is now residing in London. 

 Upwards of 700 pipes of very choice and old 

 wine were at once taken from his cellars, and 

 sent to Lisbon to be sold on Government account. 

 The house was ransacked, and his grounds are now 



