MADAME FBREEIRA’s HOSPITALITY. 315 
Our ride back was even more agreeable, from the 
fineness of the weather ; as although the sun shone bril- 
liantly, it was not uncomfortably warm. Returning by 
a dilferent road, we visited a quinta belonging to 
Madame Ferreira, of which she has many all over the 
island, with much land under cultivation. 
On an-iving at her house in the town we found 
an excellent breakfast had long been waiting. Be- 
sides our kind hostess, we had Madame Fretus and 
her two young and interesting daughters, to whom we 
had to make ourselves as agreeable as we could, under 
the disadvantage of not having a language in common. 
It had been intimated to Madame Ferreira this 
morning, that she was no longer to be kept under 
restraint, though she had not the gratification of being 
formally absolved from the alleged charges. Neither 
the Governor nor the Chief Judge would interfere in 
her case. From this it would appear that they think 
they have gone too far in persecuting this unprotected 
woman. 
This lady’s residence and that of the Governor, are 
the only good ones in the town. The others are built 
of wood, raised on piles,and surrounded by spacious and 
heavy verandahs; causing some of those which have 
apparently slight supports and bad foundations, to lean 
over in various directions, threatening them neighbours 
with a visitation, as their penchans may lead them. 
The streets may lay some claim to regularity; and 
though the houses diminish in importance as they 
