MADEIRA. 21 



them, and it is amusing to see how they manage to keep up 

 when the animal is made by the rider to gallop or run ; 

 they seize the tail by both hands — thus making the horse 

 drag them after him ; and what seems singular is, the ani- 

 mal never gets frightened, and if not urged on by the 

 rider, will soon come to a halt. 



Every one who visits Madeira should certainly ride out 

 to the CuraL* The road leading to it is one of the most 

 interesting on the Island. It ascends gradually, and every 

 now and then you are presented with a magnificent view 

 of Funchal, and its bay. After riding some hours you 

 reach a mount of considerable altitude ; on ascending this 

 you find yourself on the edge of the Cural, where the whole 

 scene suddenly bursts upon your view, and its beauty and 

 grandeur fill you with wonder and astonishment. 



" Earth has nothing to show more grand ; 

 Dull would be the soul who could pass by 

 A sight so touching in its majesty." 



In the descent, the road winds along the sides of the 

 precipice, and at every turn new and striking views are 

 brought out, almost surpassing in grandeur the first. 

 When about five hundred feet from the bottom, the path 

 becomes less precipitous, and the country on either side is 

 in a high state of cultivation and sprinkled with cottages, 

 chapels, and convents. 



Few places of sepulture can boast a more delightful 

 prospect than the burying-grouncl of Funchal. Whilst the 

 dark cypress groves give a saddening effect to the place 

 itself, in harmony with its object, the surrounding scenery 



* The Cural is supposed to have been a Crater. 



