Funchal and its Gardens 



modernized, some still retain their fine old 

 stone doorways and wrought-iron balconies. 

 Here and there a mass of brilliant Bougainvillea 

 or Bignonia streams streetvvards over the wall 

 from an inner court, while later in the winter 

 the Wistaria will hang its graceful blossoms 

 over the heads of the wayfarers. Girls filling 

 their pitchers at the fountain ; carpenters, tin- 

 smiths, and shoemakers plying their little trades 

 in open shops beneath the dwelling-houses ; 

 picturesque country-folk staring open-eyed and 

 open-mouthed at what to them is the bustle 

 and hubbub of a great city, and on festal days 

 crowding to the cathedral ; such are among the 

 customary sights of the streets. The ancient 

 Church is here still vigorous and dominant ; 

 she is a real force deeply influencing the lives 

 of the people, and with her happy use of 

 dramatic and pictorial art in services and pro- 

 cessions, doing much to infuse some interest 

 and variety into them. We who can read are 

 prone to forget the effect on the unlettered of 

 such a representation as the Holy Child in His 

 cradle ; nor do we want the Holy Rood borne 

 aloft to remind us of the manner of His death. 

 And at the evening hour, when the town is 



31 



