Isle of France, ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



543 



quantities of corn ; and provisions and refreshments of all kinds are to be 

 procured. 



PICO is separated by a narrow channel from Fayal. The peak from 

 which the island takes its name, is situated near the S. W. part, in latitude 

 38° 27' N., and longitude 28' 28' W. It is a very remarkable mountain, of 

 a circular form, and terminating on its summit in the figure of a sugar-loaf, 

 extremely regular in its shape. It is 7,000 feet above the level of the sea, 

 and in fine weather may be seen 25 leagues. This island has several towns 

 well inhabited, and produces yearly from 16 to 24,000 pipes of a white wine, 

 of a remarkably salubrious quality, something between Madeira and Hock. 

 This wine has of late years been much improved ; it becomes quite mellow 

 in about three years, or in about eight months, if sent on a sea voyage. The 

 Passado, or Fayal Malmsey, is peculiar to this island. The method of 

 making it is as follows : — when the grapes are ripe, the choicest bunches are 

 culled, and exposed for fifteen days on large lava stones, and the grapes are 

 turned every day, so that all the watery particles are exhaled ; when after- 

 wards compressed, their juice is quite thick and luscious, and brandy is put 

 in to preserve it, so that it becomes quite a cordial. The chief exportation 

 of wine is to the West Indies, for the use of the British navy and army. As 

 the principal part of the island of Pico belongs to the inhabitants of Fayal, 

 all the wine is shipped off from the latter, and thus it is called Fayal wine. 

 Besides cedar, and other timber, it produces a wood called Teixo, which is 

 extremely hard, and when polished, is beautifully veined, and of a bright 

 scarlet colour ; it is highly esteemed, and is reserved for the use of the 

 Portuguese Court. 



ST. GEORGE is about three leagues from Pico. There is a small 

 road on the S. side of the island, and a town called Villa de Vallas, where the 

 small vessels belonging to the island lie sheltered from every wind. 



GRACIOSA is separated from the N. end of St. George by a safe 

 channel, about eight leagues wide. The principal town is Santa Cruz on 

 the N. E. side of the island, where vessels anchor. The produce of this 

 bland and St. George is sent to Terceu-a in small vessels built here. 



TERCEIRA. — This island is about eight leagues from the S. E. point 

 of St. George ; it is about six leagues in length from E. to W., and of a 

 moderate height. Its principal bays are Porto Praya on the N. E., and Angra 

 on the S. E. side. 



Porto Praya Bay is the largest and best in the Western Islands, 

 and is capable of receiving a fleet of ships at its anchorage ; it is in the 

 form of a crescent. Vessels may anchor in 16 to 20 fathoms, the town 



