AEEIVE AT MADEIEA FUNCHAL. 11 



strongly with the patches of green upon the slopes, 

 the deep blue of the ocean, and the delicate white 

 of the ever-changing- clouds of mist which rolled 

 incessantly along, while the rugged summit of the 

 island, and the deep ravines radiating towards the 

 coast-range of precipitous cliffs, gave an air of 

 wildness to the scene. 



The town of Funchal, said to contain about 25,000 

 inhabitants, is situated upon the slope of an amphi- 

 theatre of hills, behind the only anchorage of the 

 island. The finest view is obtained from the balcony 

 of a church dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Monte, 

 situated at a considerable elevation above the town. 

 Here one looks down upon the numerous quintas 

 and cottages of the suburbs embosomed in gardens 

 and vineyards, the orange groves and clumps of 

 chestnut trees, the snow-white houses of Funchal 

 with its churches and public buildings, the citadel 

 frowning over the town, the calm waters of the bay 

 with the vessels at anchor gently heaving to and 

 fro on the long westerly swell, the Ilheo rock and 

 batteries, the bold headlands, and the dim outline 

 of the distant Desertas. Some of the streets are 

 pleasantly shaded by rows of plane trees (Platanus 

 occidentalis). Several deep ravines passing through 

 the town are carefully walled in, to prevent damage 

 being done by the torrents which occasionally sweep 

 down the mountain, carrying everything before 

 them. From the steepness of the narrow roads 

 and streets, wheeled vehicles can scarcely be used. 



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