IS M A D E I R A. 



entered, at the expense of $1000, and remanufactured. Everybody 

 was up in arms. The commercial association of Funchal passed 

 resolutions denouncing the publication in strong terms, as designed by 

 certain interested persons to injure the reputation of the wine of 

 Madeira. So strict are the laws to prevent frauds, that even genuine 

 Madeira, after being once shipped, cannot be returned to the island. 

 I heard, however, of an attempt, and but one, to smuggle in Teneriffe 

 and Fayal wines, which was discovered. The casks were broken, the 

 wine destroyed, the boats confiscated, and the smuggler condemned to 

 be transported to the coast of Africa. 



We were informed that the industry of the inhabitants had much 

 increased within a few years, and since the new order of things : this 

 is shown in the increased quantity of grain which is raised, viz., wheat, 

 barley, rye, and Indian corn. Sugar and coffee are also raised, and oi 

 superior quality. All kinds of vegetables and fruits are in abundance, 

 all of very fine kinds, and not only sufficient for their own wants, bu< 

 to supply the shipping that touch there. 



There are some things relative to the organization of the present 

 government, that seem to forebode any thing but harmony in its 

 operations. It is too complicated for an ignorant community, that 

 cannot value the elective franchise. The system is somewhat a 

 caricature of our own, in the frequency of elections, and the numerous 

 small magistrates who have for the most part little or no emolument. 

 I was told that instances had occurred of their refusing to educate 

 their children, in order that they might escape being elected to an 

 office, which would bring them nothing but toil and vexation. As they 

 become more enlightened this prejudice will pass away. 



The people are industrious, sober, and civil, and although ignorant, 

 I should think happy. There is little, if any, mixed blood among 

 them. They are of the old Arabian stock. Free negroes are seen. 

 Dark hair, eyes, and complexion, are most common; but much 

 diversity in form and feature, and in the colour of the hair exists. 

 The character of the features of the inhabitants is usually rather a 

 broad face, high cheek bones, and pointed nose, full lips, good teeth, 

 and retreating chin. The men are very muscular, rather above the 

 middle height, strongly built, and capable of enduring great fatigue. 

 We all agreed that the women were particularly ugly, which is to be 

 imputed in part to the hard labour required of them. The two sexes 

 do not appear to belong to the same race. 



The men of the lower order are dressed in a kind of loose trousers 

 (cuecas), descending as far as the knee, with a shirt or jacket of a 

 gaudy colour. Both sexes wear a kind of cap (carapuca), of very 



