22 VISTA OF FAIAL. METADE VALLEY. [chap, i . 



perpendicular, till at last you are stopped abruptly by a 

 precipice. A glimpse between tbe passing clouds shows you 

 that you are in an entirely wrong direction. You wearily 

 retrace your steps, by good fortune reach the spot where you 

 left your horse and guide, but find them there no more. The 

 only remaining course is to walk home, perhaps an operation 

 of four or five hours. To make the picture perfect, we may 

 imagine a heavy tropical rain to come on towards evening. 



VISTA OF FAIAL. 



Eiding from Santa Anna to the Vista of Faial, you have a 

 beautiful view of the detached mass of rock of the Penha 

 d'Aguia*, backed by Point S*° Lourenco, jutting into the 

 sea far eastward, and the intervening capes. If you have 

 time, you can visit Faial and Porto da Cruz beyond it ; some 

 return thus to Funchal, going by way of Sancta Cruz. 



METADE VALLEY. 



However, the direct way is the best, if it were only to see 

 the Metade Valley. This ravine is one of the deepest in the 

 island; the mountains at its head are often capped with 

 clouds, and seem invested with a kind of mysterious grandeur. 

 On the road you get a very good broadside view of the Penha 

 d'Aguia f through a frame of chestnuts covered with vines. 

 At the time of pruning it is a curious sight to see the groves 

 of chestnuts, each tree with its man on it, the whole forest of 

 them chattering, singing, and working away most merrily. 

 The chestnut trees of the north are all lopped at the top 

 to stunt their growth, and make them better trainers for 

 the vines. 



* See " Sketches in Madeira," by Lady S. V. Harcourt. + Ibid. 



