\r^ 



22 ANNA D'ARFET. 



dark cypress groves give a saddening effect to the place itself, 

 in harmony with its object, the surrounding scenery pre- 

 sents some of the finest views in the neighborhood of the 

 town. The most prominent object in the distance is the 

 Peak Fort, the principal fortress in Maderia. Its command- 

 ing position renders it a picturesque object from many points 

 of view. 



The following story relating to the discovery of Maderia, 

 and narrated by a historian may be interesting to the 

 reader. 



" Anna D' Arfet, the heroine of the tale, was a lady of high 

 family and distinguished beauty. She was beloved by Robert 

 Machim, an English gentleman of great merit, but her infe- 

 rior in rank and wealth ; the attachment, though mutual, was 

 not countenanced by the proud family of D' Arfet, and finding 

 her insensible to their admonitions, a warrant was procured 

 from the King, Edward III., by which Machim was arrested 

 and cast into prison, she being in the meantime compelled to 

 ally herself with one more her equal in station. Machim on 

 his release, determined to spare no means to become possessed 

 of the object of his affections, and by the assistance of a 

 friend, who introduced himself to his mistress in the character . 

 of a groom, succeeded in effecting her escape from a castle 

 near Bristol, where her husband resided. Guided by their 

 trusty friend, they embarked in a vessel bound for France ; 

 but in crossing the channel they were driven out of their 

 course by a fearful storm. For thirteen days they were 

 tossed about in the open ocean, where, being without a pilot, 

 they knew not in what direction to steer. At length a faint 

 haze in the horizon indicated their approach to land, and soon, 

 to their infinite joy, they saw before them a beautiful and 

 richly wooded island. Machim and his mistress, accompanied 



