8 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[Madeiras. 



walk, shaded with trees, with a principal avenue in the centre, terminated 

 by the Cathedral. The Theatre is on one side, and the Hospital on the other 

 of the entrance. The Custom House is at the sea-side, surrounded by a 

 rampart mounted with cannon, and which contains barracks. 



The best anchorage for large ships is in 30 to 35 fathoms water, having 

 the Citadel a little open to the E. of the Loo Rock, the latter distant a 

 large half mile. A whole cable sbould be used when the w eather appears the 

 least unsettled, with a slip-buoy on the cable, having the splice so situated, 

 that should you be forced to put to sea, and be unable to weigh, the cable 

 may be cut near the splice. 



Ships' boats may land on the beach in summer ; but this is better 

 avoided at all seasons when goods are not landing, to preserve the boats 

 from the violent surge and shingly shore, and to keep the seamen from the 

 disorderly houses near the beach. Shore-boats often come on board, under 

 pretence of selling fruit, &c; but their chief object is the sale of spirituous 

 Ji(|Uors or concealed goods. 



Madeira contains about 110,000 inhabitants, of which nearly 20,000 in- 

 habit Funchal. The merchants, mostly English, are hospitable to strangers. 



Trade. — The imports from Great Britain, in the year 1821, were 

 foreign and colonial merchandize, consisting principally of wheat and flour, 

 flax, East India piece-goods, rice, and brandy, the official value of which 

 was i?41,006 ; and British and Irish produce, consisting of cotton manu- 

 factures, cast and wrought iron, staves, soap and candles, woollens, apparel, 

 beef and pork, cabinet and upholstery ware, glass and earthenware, hats, 

 leather, linens, &c. the declared value of which was <P$$ y 315* 



The official value of imports into Great Britain from Madeira, in the 

 year 1821, was J?18,253. 



The Americans carry on a considerable trade with Madeira in provi- 

 sions, lumber, &c. The returns are in wine, a large quantity of which is 

 consumed in America. 



The principal and almost only export from Madeira is wine, classed 

 as follows, in regard to quality : — I, London Particular, 2, London Market. 

 3, India Market. 4, New York Market. 5, Cargo. There are, besides, 

 Sercial, sweet Malmsey, dry Malmsey, Tinto, or red wine. 



The quantity of Madeira Wine imported into Great Britain in the year 

 1822, was 2046 tuns, of which 857 tuns were brought direct from the 

 Island. The increase of quantity has had an effect upon the price of the article, 

 and deteriorated it in quality. The prices are settled by the British Factory 

 at the commencement of each year. The large purchases of wine by the 

 East India Company a few years back somewhat deranged the trade, and 

 was attended with a serious loss to themselves. 



