Leaves from a Madeira Garden 



the well-being of the inhabitants. If there 

 must be a tariff, it is probable that a very much 

 lower one would soon produce a much greater 

 revenue. At present we go without a new 

 carpet, because the duty on it would be £,20 or 

 ;^30. If the duty were reduced to one quarter 

 of this sum, we should import our new carpet, 

 and the State would receive £,^ or so instead of 

 nothing. And the vista of general prosperity 

 which after the first wrench would succeed 

 such a change, coupled with the abolition of 

 socialistic experiments as touching cultivation 

 and manufacture, is boundless. But there is 

 no sign as yet of the existence of any intelligent 

 appreciation of economic laws. 



In spite of everything the State can do to 

 cripple foreign trade, and the fact that the most 

 important export, wine, is a declining factor, 

 a good deal of foreign money comes into the 

 island. The coaling, watering, and provisioning 

 of calling ships employ much labour ; there is 

 an ever-increasing influx of visitors during the 

 winter and spring ; and the salubrity of the 

 climate tempts many Portuguese who have 

 made money in tropical countries to make it 

 their home on retiring from business. Much 



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