20 MADEIRA. 



to all appearance remarkably polite and kind-hearted. When- 

 ever we met them, they invariably saluted us. They are 

 extensively employed about the town as carriers, and a stranger 

 is at times apt to be struck with the novel character of their 

 load; when at a distance, he sees them bearing on their 

 shoulders what he supposes to be a live sheep, but on nearer 

 approach he discovers that they are only the skins of that 

 animal filled with wine. These skins are preserved as entire 

 as possible, even the legs being retained; they are kept 

 steady by a band which passes over the forehead and supports 

 a considerable part of the weight. Twenty gallons is con- 

 sidered an ordinary load, and they will carry it to any part of 

 the city for a pistareen. 



There are few public amusements to be found in Funchal, 

 and strangers very soon complain of monotony. There is no 

 theatre, no cafe, ho resort, in fact, but the billiard-table. The 

 members of the Portuguese Club have a ball, once a month 

 during the season, and very agreeable and pleasing re-unions 

 they are. According to Portuguese etiquette, previous to the 

 commencement of dancing, the ladies sit formally at one end 

 of the room, apart from the gentlemen, and it is customary at 

 two or three o'clock in the morning, to hand around cups con- 

 taining hot chicken broth. The ball seldom breaks up before 

 daylight. 



Visiting among the ladies of Funchal, is performed in Pa- 

 lanquins, and a kind of vehicle lately introduced, resembling 

 one of our New England sleighs. The latter is generally 

 drawn by oxen, and seems to answer better than a wheel 

 vehicle, on account of the steepness and narrowness of the 

 streets. 



The rides about Funchal are delightful ; the roads are good, 

 and lined on either hand with vineyards, mingled with groves 



