MADEIRA. 13 



hedged with roses, &c, the view gradually extending beneath, 

 over the terraced vineyards. Just before reaching it you mount a 

 small ascent; you are then on the summit or edge of the Curral, 

 and the whole scene suddenly bursts upon you. The eye descends 

 to the depth of two thousand feet, into the immense chasm below, 

 and wanders over the ragged and broken outline of the many peaks 

 that rise from its very bottom; then upwards, following the gray 

 precipitous rocks, till their summits are lost in the clouds, which 

 are passing fitfully across it, occasionally permitting the sunbeams to 

 glance to its very bottom. One feels surprised, in gazing on this 

 scene, that its character of wildness should become softened, and its 

 beauty increased, which is effected in part by the plants and shrubs 

 which cling or have fastened themselves into the fissures of the rocks. 

 These the eye gradually makes out, and is led by the small and 

 narrow strips of green on the ledges downwards, until it finally rests 

 on the secluded church of Nostra Senora de Livre Monte, and the 

 peasants' cabins embedded in the dark and luxuriant foliage beneath, 

 whose peace and quietness are in such strong contrast with the 

 wildness of nature above. The whole looks more like enchantment 

 than reality. The shape of the Curral and its perpendicular sides 

 give the idea rather of a gorge than of a crater. 



In the descent the road winds along the sides of the precipice, 

 turning around sharp and jutting projections, with a frightful gulf 

 yawning below. A misstep of the horse would plunge the rider to 

 destruction. At every turn new and striking views are brought out, 

 almost surpassing in grandeur the first. The descent is so gradual, 

 that one scarcely seems to advance downwards, and the length of 

 time necessary to accomplish it (upwards of an hour) will give some 

 idea of the vastness and grandeur of the scene. Continuing on, the 

 gorge opens to the south, where the streamlet of the Curral, joined 

 by several lateral branches, forms the river Socorridos, which empties 

 itself into the sea at the ancient town of Camera de Lobos. 



A party, consisting of Messrs. Drayton, Pickering, Couthouy, and 

 Brackenridge, visited San Vincente, on the north side of the island. 

 They describe the road to it as passing over projecting ledges, of 

 which those unacquainted with a volcanic country can form but little 

 idea. The first night the party stopped at Santa Anna, where they 

 were hospitably entertained by Senor A. Accraiolis, who afforded 

 them every comfort in his power. They were exceedingly well 

 accommodated. The next morning they set out on their way to Pico 

 Ruivo. On their road they encountered the forest of arborescent 

 Heaths, some of which were found thirty feet in height and four feet 



