MADEIRA. 15 



the city of Funchal, in twenty-five fathoms water. The 

 " Vincennes" and " Sea Gull" came in about sunset, and the 

 " Flying Fish" an hour or two later. The " Peacock" did 

 not arrive until about 10 A. M next day. 



Shortly after coming to anchor, we were boarded by the 

 health-officer, who, being assured that we had no sickness on 

 board, granted us permission to communicate with the shore. 



We had heard much about the beauties of Maderia, and 

 now that we had it before our eyes, we were not disappointed ; 

 my own expectations were indeed more than realized. Val- 

 leys and hills, the former adorned with villas, groves, cottages, 

 churches, and convents, the latter covered to their summits 

 with verdure, presented themselves to our view in every direc- 

 tion. The climate is said -to be among the finest in the 

 world. Properly speaking, there is no winter, and the greatest 

 heat in the summer is never so great as with us. The usual 

 height of the mercury is 67, and in the greatest extremes 

 seldom sinks or rises 6 above the medium, and hence the 

 excellent health so generally enjoyed by its inhabitants. 

 Another remarkable fact about Maderia is, that it is free from 

 the annoyances and inconveniences that so commonly infest 

 warm climates. There are no snakes or reptiles of any sort. 

 Flowers grow wild along the sides of the roads and in the 

 fields. Water is abundant, and of an excellent quality ; even 

 the streams at the bottom of the ravines, fed by the mountain 

 dews, are never dry in the hottest season, and the height 

 from which they descend enables the inhabitants to turn, their 

 course in any direction they please, which accounts for the 

 cultivated parts of the island being so well irrigated. 



The chief production of Madeira is the grape,* and that 



* "The vine was introduced in 1425. from the Island of Candia ; but it was not ac- 

 tively cultivated till the early pan ; of the sixteenth century. It is propagated from 



