June.] 



THE AZORES. 



489 



tirely abandoned their domestic concerns, and were in danger of starv- 

 ing in the midst of plenty." 



On the 29th of January, 1810, frequent shocks of earthquakes were 

 experienced at the island of St. Michael's, and a marine volcano burst 

 through the sea, about half a league from the land. On the 15th of 

 June, in the following year, another phenomenon of similar character 

 occurred, near the west end of the same island, about three miles 

 from land, in forty fathoms of water. 



The Azores are subject also to violent winds, and frequent inunda- 

 tions of the ocean, which often overwhelm the houses, and sweep from 

 the fields the flocks and grain. They are, however, extremely fertile, 

 and produce corn, wine, and fruits in great abundance. There is an 

 annual exportation of twenty thousand pipes of wine ; and the single 

 article of tobacco affords a considerable revenue to the King of Portu- 

 gal, who claims a tenth of all the productions of these islands. The 

 air is wholesome, and the sky is generally clear and serene. No 

 poisonous or noxious animals breed on the Azores ; and it is said, 

 that if carried thither they will expire in a few hours.* The popula- 

 tion of the whole group has been lately estimated at two hundred 

 thousand. 



St. Michael, or St. Miguel, which is the largest island of the whole 

 cluster, is situated in lat. 37° 50' N., long. 25° 39' W., about twenty- 

 five leagues south-east from Tercera. The celebrated Cabral took 

 possession of it in the name of Portugal, in 1444. It is quite moun- 

 tainous in the interior, some of the peaks towering to the height of 

 seven thousand feet above the level of the sea. Among these moun- 

 tains are several valuable mineral springs. The climate is mild and 

 agreeable, and the soil is rich and fertile, producing corn, potatoes, 

 peaches, plums, grapes, oranges, lemons, &c. The waters around 

 the shores, and in the inlets, are teeming with fish of various kinds, 

 and of an excellent quality, which can be caught in great abundance. 

 This island has considerable commerce with Portugal, England, and 

 the United States. The population has been estimated at eighty-one 

 thousand. In August, 1831, the troops of Donna Maria, the niece of 

 Don Pedro, took possession of this island, and still hold it at the pres- 

 ent day, October, 1832. 



Pico derives its name from a lofty mountain on it, much like the Peak 

 of Teneriffe, the summit of which is more than seven thousand feet above 

 the sea, and it can be seen from a great distance in clear weather. 

 Mr. Pinkerton strongly recommends to geographers to assume this 

 mountain as a first meridian of longitude. It is in lat. 38° 27' N., long. 

 28° 28' W. The population is about twenty-one thousand, who are 

 principally employed in cultivating the vine, and making wine for ex- 

 portation. 



The island of St. George is in lat. 38° 31' N., long. 27° 55' W., 

 and the population is estimated at twelve thousand. The inhabitants 

 are employed in the cultivation of wheat. 



Fayal is a circular island, about ten miles in diameter, rising ab- 

 ruptly from the sea, in lat. 38° 31' N., long. 28° 41' W., and its centre 



/ * Edin. Encyclopedia. 



