Leaves from a Madeira Garden 



secures, them in the possession of their oversea 

 dependencies. 



We may amuse ourselves by speculating as 

 to the present condition of Madeira if it had 

 remained British. It would doubtless be an 

 important naval coaling station, and regarded 

 as one of the outposts of the empire which are 

 necessary to its existence. Its outward aspect 

 would certainly be different ; roads would have 

 been made, sanitation would have received due 

 attention, and an excellent water supply would 

 have been installed. It would be very much 

 like everywhere else, and some of the special 

 charm of its particularity would be lost. If the 

 outward appearance were changed, much more 

 changed would be the inward working of things. 

 Extravagant customs duties would have dis- 

 appeared ; a more intelligent fiscal system 

 would assuredly have produced great commer- 

 cial and agricultural prosperity, and a consider- 

 able export trade would have been developed. 

 The presence of British officials and British 

 troops would help to bring a larger number of 

 visitors. On the other hand, a certain dulness 

 generally follows the British flag, and British con- 

 ventional morality would be unable to tolerate 



i6 



