16 AFTERNOON RIDES. BOATING EXCURSIONS. [chap. I. 



third of the island : the present possessor is a minor : the 

 grounds are laid out after the manner of an English park : 

 the gardens show signs of former care and magnificence, and 

 are famous for their lofty camellias, and for Portugal laurels 

 as large as timber trees. 



AFTERNOON RIDES. 



Amongst the most favourite afternoon rides is one by Fort 

 S^° Goncalo, on the Sancta Cruz road, returning home by 

 the Palheiro ; another to the little Curral, as it is called, 

 going by the Mount Church, and returning either by the 

 Caminho de Meio or the Palheiro ; a third along the new 

 road to Praia Formosa, passing the Forja de Ferreiro and the 

 Gorgulho ; a fourth, the road round by S?° Roque, Santo 

 Antonio, and S 1 ! Martinho ; a fifth by the Alegria *, &c. 



BOATING EXCURSIONS. 



For those who are fond of boating, there are many very 

 pleasant excursions. To Cape Girao, for instance, at the 

 base of which you form almost a grander conception of the 

 gigantic cliff than even by looking down from its summit. A 

 further expedition along this coast is to Ponta do Sol, a pretty 

 little town about three hours' pull from Funchal ; here you 

 may perhaps procure ponies, or walk back to Ribeira Bravaf, 

 sending your boat there to meet you, and then take ship 

 again home. On the other side, Sancta Cruz, Machico, and 

 Canical afford objects for a cruise. From the chapel of 

 N. S. da Piedade, above Canical, you have a magnificent 

 view of the north coast of the island as far as Santa Anna. Its 

 black frowning cliffs stand in strong contrast with the smiles 



* The country residence of Mrs. Penfold. 



f See " Sketches in Madeira," by Lady S. V. Harcourt. 



