TOWN OF FUNCHAL. 
3 
abundance in all the crevices of the rocks, and a few geraniums, ferns, 
and mosses, composed my collection. 
Not finding the boat in readiness on my return to the beach, I 
walked into the town, which I entered under an archway that led to 
a long narrow street very well paved with round pebbles, and per- 
fectly clean, and which was intersected by others of a similar cha- 
racter. The houses are lofty, and completely overshadow the narrow 
streets, forming an effectual screen against the beams of a hot sun. 
The softer sex, for here they cannot be called the fair sex, were 
enjoying the air on virandas which projected from the first floor of the 
better-looking houses, and were enabled by the narrowness of the streets 
to converse freely with their opposite neighbours. The young ladies 
of Madeira, although dark brunettes, possess many charms. Their 
hair, and arching eye-brows, are of a jet black, and their eyes sparkle 
under lashes of the same colour ; their face is oval and expressive, and 
handsome rather than beautiful. 
The streets were filled with foot passengers, of whom no inconsi- 
derable number were priests, in long loose robes, and without hats. 
They had evidently fared on the fat of the land ; and many of them 
exhibited in their countenances and deportment, a full share of self- 
satisfaction and self-importance. But the faces of others seemed 
to be lightened with a paternal feeling, and physiognomists might 
have traced in them characters of mildness, benignity, and religion. 
Neither did they all receive the same marks of respect from the pass- 
ing populace. Sometimes the hat was simply raised, and the body 
bowed, without any regard being directed to the object of this salute, 
which was begun and ended at the instant of meeting. In other 
cases, an eagerness was shown to catch the observation of the Father, 
long before he approached, while a deprecating and beseeching manner 
appeared to implore the blessing of a superior being. It was agreeable 
to the harmony of my own sentiments, that these last attentions were 
paid to those alone, whose exterior almost incited me to a similar 
display of respectful feeling. 
b 2 
