Preface 



voluntary exile in this most favoured climate ; 

 and to draw some picture from it of a wealth of 

 vegetation, unknown in Europe, to be met with 

 at a distance of three and a half days' steaming 

 from Southampton. I have made no attempt 

 to produce a handbook to, or systematic account 

 of, Madeira. This has already been done by 

 the late Mr. Yate Johnson far better than I 

 could aspire to do it. I have confined myself 

 to somewhat inconsequent, and I fear sometimes 

 irrelevant, jottings on many subjects, and if I 

 have stated my own opinion rather freely on 

 some controversial topics, I hope I have not 

 trodden upon any one's corns. This hope 

 applies especially to the remarks I have made 

 with reference to what I consider the failings 

 and mistakes of the Portuguese Government, 

 especially in its fiscal system. For our kind 

 hosts the Portuguese people here, for my 

 Portuguese friends, acquaintances, and servants, 

 I feel little but liking and respect ; and what I 

 have said is less than is commonly said among 

 themselves by those whose education and 

 knowledge of the world make them competent 

 to judge. 



Many books have been written in English 



viii 



