chap. n.J PROVISIONS. — MARKETS. — CLOTHING. — HORSES. 29 



money (Bolivian Eepublic dollar) is superior 6-10 and 

 decimals of a cash; that of the staff dollar (Peruvian 

 Eepublic dollar) is superior 44-10 and decimals of a 

 cash." English gold and silver coin is current for its full 

 value : the sovereign always passes for four thousand eight 

 hundred reis. United States gold and silver coin, the dol- 

 lars of Mexico and the South American Republics, together 

 with their decimal parts, and Spanish doubloons, are likewise 

 current in Madeira. South American doubloons, and the 

 silver coins of Portugal and the Brazils, are not received in 

 payments. Copper is the only Portuguese money used in 

 the island. Hard cash is the best resource for a visitor 

 to be provided with, as from one to five per cent, is lost 

 on letters of credit. 



PROVISIONS. 



Provisions of all sorts are cheap. English bread, which 

 is sold at 2^d. the pound, is the dearest article of food ; the 

 quality of it, however, is excellent. Mutton, which is an 

 indifferent meat, fetches from B^d. to Ad. a pound; beef, 

 which is good, from 3|d. to Ad. ; and veal from Ad. to 5d. 

 Fowls may be purchased at from 10c?. to Is. 3d. a couple. 



MARKETS. 



The markets are held at daybreak, and all the meat, the 

 best fish, and best fruits are bought at that time. Tea, soap, 

 and tobacco are contraband, but the Custom House is not 

 inexorable. 



CLOTHING. 



A common English wardrobe, with the addition of a few 

 lighter articles and a waterproof covering for the mountains, 

 suffices for clothing. 



HORSES. 



The horse is an almost indispensable part of the establish- 



