CHAF. Hi. J SUNSET. — SNOW. — DAMPNESS. 47 



to be again gradually cleared away, leaving the nights bright 

 and lucid. 



SUNSET. 



An opinion prevails that exposure to the air at sunset 

 is dangerous to those who are in delicate health. The ther- 

 mometer shows no sudden change of temperature at that 

 time ; but it is possible that the loss of the direct rays of the 

 sun may induce a chill on sensitive frames, and justify a 

 medical caution. 



The stars seem to have an unusual clearness in Madeira : 

 over the sea not many are distinctly visible, owing to the mist 

 which always at night hangs over the horizon. That beautiful 

 phenomenon the lunar rainbow is often seen to great per- 

 fection. 



SNOW. 



In the months of December, January, February, or March, 

 the hills, as low down as three thousand feet from then' 

 summits, are sometimes visited by snow, though it rarely lies 

 on the ground above two, or, at most, ten days at a time. 

 There is a large pit dug and covered over at the top of one of 

 the peaks, which has derived its name of the ice-house peak 

 from the use it is put to. Here the snow or hail is collected, 

 and hence the luxury of an ice is to be obtained in the pastry- 

 cook's shops at any time of the year. In Funchal, however, 

 frost is unknown : a fire is seldom requisite to guard against 

 either cold or damp. 



DAMPNESS. 



Whatever may be the moisture of the air, it is not sensible 

 as dampness to the feelings, and is certainly not unfavourable 



