MADERIA. 21 



of the orange and lemon tree. The most agreeable way of 

 taking these rides is on horseback, horses being plentiful and 

 generally well broken. Their owners invariably accompany 

 them, and it is amusing to see how they manage to keep up 

 when the animal is made by the rider to gallop or run ; they 

 seize the tail' with both hands — thus making the horse drag 

 them after him ; and what seems singular is, the animal never 

 gets frightened, and if not urged on by the rider, will soon 

 come to a halt. 



Every one who visits Maderia should certainly ride out to 

 the Cural.* The road leading to it is one of the most inte- 

 resting on the Island. It ascends gradually, and every now 

 and then you are presented with a magnificent view of Fun- 

 chal, and its bay. After riding some hours you reach a mount 

 of considerable altitude ; on ascending this you find yourself 

 on the edge of the Cural, where the whole scene suddenly bursts 

 upon your view, and its beauty and grandeur fill you with 

 wonder and astonishment. 



" Earth has nothing to show more grand ; 

 Dull would be the soul who could pass by 

 A sight so touching in its majesty." 



In the descent, the road winds along the sides of the pre- 

 cipice, and at every turn new and striking views are brought 

 out, almost surpassing in grandeur the first. When about 

 five hundred feet from the bottom, the path becomes less 

 precipitous, and the country on either side is in a high state of 

 cultivation and sprinkled with cottages, chapels, and con- 

 vents. 



Few places of sepulture can boast a more delightful 

 prospect than the burial-ground of Funchal. Whilst the 



* The Cural is supposed to have been a Crater. 



