214 AFRICAN ISLANDS. 



that in coming in with this island, in clear weather, the Peak may be 

 easily discerned at 120 miles distance, and in sailing from it at ISO. 

 The Peak is an ascent in the form of a sugar-loaf, about fifteen miles 

 in circumference, and, according to the account of Sprat, bishop of 

 Rochester, published in the Philosophical Transactions, nearly three 

 miles perpendicular ; bur lately ascertained to be only 13,265 feet. 

 This mountain is a volcano, and sometimes throws out such quantities 

 of sulphur and melted ore, as to convert the richest lands into barren 

 deserts. 



These islands were first discovered and planted by the Cartha- 

 ginians ; but the Romans destroying that state, put a stop to the 

 navigation on the west coast of Africa, and the Canaries lay conceal- 

 ed from the rest of the world, until they were again discovered by 

 the Spaniards in the year 1405, to whom they still belong. It is 

 remarkable, that though the natives resemble the Africans in their 

 stature and complexion, when the Spaniards first came among them, 

 their language was different from that spoken on the continent ; they 

 retained none of their customs, were masters of no science, and did 

 not know there was any country in the world besides their own. 



MADEIRAS. The three islands called the Madeiras are situate 

 in a fine climate, in 32° 27' north lat. and from 18° 30' to 19° 30' west 

 long, about 100 miles north of the Canaries, and as many west of 

 Sallee, in Morocco. The largest, from which the rest derive the 

 general name of Madeiras, on account of its being formerly almost 

 covered with wood, is about seventy-five miles long, sixty broad, and 

 180 in circumference. It is composed of one continued hill of a 

 considerable height, extending from east to west; the declivity of 

 which, on the south side, is cultivated, and interspersed with vine- 

 yards ; and in the midst of this slope the merchants have fixed their 

 country seats, which form a very agreeable prospect. There is but 

 one considerable town in the whole island, which is named Funchal, 

 seated on the south part of the island, at the bottom of a large bay i 

 towards the sea it is defended by a high wall, with a battery of can- 

 non, and is the only place where it is possible for a boat to land ; and 

 even here the beach is covered with large stones, and a violent surf 

 continually beats upon it. 



Though this island seems to have been known to the ancients, yet 

 it lay concealed for many ages, and was at length discovered by the 

 Portuguese in 1519 ; but others assert that it was first discovered by 

 an Englishman in the year 1344. Be that as it may, the Portuguese 

 took possession of it, and are still almost the only people who inhabit 

 it. The Portuguese at their first landing, finding it little better than 

 a thick forest, rendered the ground capable of cultivation, by setting 

 fire to this wood ; and it is now very fertile, producing, in great abun- 

 dance, the richest wine, sugar, the most delicious fruits, especially 

 oranges, lemons, and pomegranates ; together with corn, honey, and 

 wax; it abounds also with boars and other wild beasts, and with all 

 sorts of fowls, besides numerous groves of cedar trees, and those that 

 yield dragon's blood, mastic, and other gums. The inhabitants of 

 Shis isle make the best sweatmeats in the world, and succeed won- 

 derfully in preserving citrons and oranges, and in making marmalade 

 and perfumed pastes, which exceed those of Genoa. The sugar they 

 make is extremely beautiful, and smells naturally of violets. This 

 Indeed is said to be the first place in the west where that manufac- 

 ture was set on foot, and from thence was carried to the Brasils in 



