Antiquities , 



The arms of the city of Funchal com- 

 memorate the early prosperity of the cultivation 

 of sugar-cane. They are : Sable, five sugar 

 loaves argent, arranged cruciformly. Originally 

 a stem of sugar-cane was disposed on each side 

 of the shield, but later a vine branch with fruit 

 took the place of one of the canes. 



The collector — we are all collectors nowadays 

 — who cares for English furniture and silver of 

 the eighteenth century, has sometimes found 

 Madeira a happy hunting ground. In house 

 after house — English and Portuguese — you may 

 see good old English furniture, especially fine 

 chairs and settees, some undoubtedly the work of 

 the great English makers ; while others are 

 local copies and adaptations of their designs. 

 And as the Madeira cabinet makers have always 

 been masters of their craft, the latter are not to 

 be despised. They may generally be detected 

 by the great heaviness of the island mahogany 

 from which they are made, and by their missing 

 in some indefinable way the quality which genius 

 impresses. But the real thing is not uncommon. 



Walnut furniture of the Queen Anne period, 

 whether of English or of Dutch origin, is also 

 to be found ; but as the wood is peculiarly 



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