CHAP. I.] PIC-NICS. 9 



experience of; and you pass at every step precipitous rocks, 

 strange trees, and beautiful plants, with a mind half occupied 

 in admiring what you see, half anxious lest one mistake on 

 your horse's part should end at once your pleasures and your 

 pains. On the other hand, there is no place where you are 

 less wearied by having the same prospect always before you ; 

 it is constantly varied by ever-flying clouds, and the warm 

 red colouring of the hills gives a tone that would not be 

 believed if seen on paper. 



The horses to be procured in Madeira are good for their 

 work, and very sure-footed. Accidents seldom happen, not- 

 withstanding the bad roads and steep precipices ; indeed it is 

 astonishing to see the places these animals will traverse with- 

 out making a false step, picking their own way much better 

 than their rider can guide them. 



PIC-NICS. 



Let us suppose ourselves about to join one of these pic-nic 

 riding parties. Here we are all together, fifteen of us, on a 

 lovely day in February, with the thermometer standing at 69 de- 

 grees Fahrenheit in the shade at nine o'clock in the morning. 

 Our destination is the Curral das Freiras. At first starting 

 the roads are broad and good, as far as paved roads may be 

 called good. About Funchal the roads are lined on either 

 side with walls, which are generally covered with heliotropes, 

 roses, geraniums, fuchsias, &c, in wild profusion. Some of 

 the most picturesque views of the town are to be found be- 

 tween these walls, which, with their odorous clothing, form 

 delicious foregrounds. They are sometimes almost closed 

 over above your head by a treillage of vines which project 

 from the vineyards on both sides. One of the great amuse- 

 ments of the Portuguese who have Quintets, and gardens, 



B 3 



