Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-23


vent of Franciscans, think, half Of il at pre-
sent is converted into barracks and guard
rooms, and the rest is still retained by the fri
ars Their church is uncommonly fine in its
interior proportions, and must have been very
imposing in the DAYS of its splendor. The fri
ars looked wretched, and one poor fellow with
out shoes or shirt moved my compassion to
that degree, that conferred pstorine upon
him. He seemed as grateful as if had taught
bin 10 read his breviary, which he confessed TO
me he could not do. There was some time ago
chapel here as understood it, entirely con-
structed Of human skulls, but upon inquiry
found il was destroyed or removed.
The Portuguese ladies in Madeira never wash
their faces, and complain that the English de-
stroy their fine compilations by too much wa
ter. Dry rubbing is the thing. lfyou intend
TO visit female, you send notice over night,
then she puts on her corset and dresses herself
as if for ball. So you meet them in the street
lying in their palanquins, with one pretty ANGLE
hanging outside, and in rich evening costume.
A man ought to have more phlegm in his
constitution than have, 10 travel with secrecy
in Madeira When you intend TO make an ex-
cursion, you send a servant to the corner oil the
stree, to summon the muletcers; at the word,
down they come scampering to your door, men
and boys, horses. males and ponies. Some
friends Of mine were going with me to Ca"al-
hard's villa, and the moment we pu our noses
on: of the court yard, regular hight began.
Three men laid hold OF me by main force; my
left leg was mounted on mule, my right
stretched across horse, and the BRIDE OF po-
nv thrust into my hand. | demonstrated as
become me, but unfortunately FOR my influence
i'm the world, have such an ungovernable ten
dency TO laughter upon the most solemn ooca-
sions, that all could do or say excited neither
remorse nor terror in these fellows. succeed
ed at length in righting myself, and sheered OH
on the horse When we were all seated, the
vara in hand and all ready, "whoo." whistled
our natives; "whoo!" whislled all the natives
in the neighbourhood; the muleteers caught
hold of the tails by their left hands, and began
to goad the TANKS OF the anlmals.wlth small
pike in theirright; Cara, cara cavache, caval,
shouted they which fairly started us, and away
we went at full gallop through the pebble-paved
streets, the horses kicking, the hoois Gathering,
the men singing and screaming and goacing,
and the old women running out OF their way as
fast as they could. | was so convGised with
laughter at the unspeakable absurdily Of the
scte, that considered it very great mercy
that neither killed myself nor any body else.
The roads too out of the town are entirely pa
we'd causeways for horses and palanQulDs, and
TO ascend them is well enough, but really to
ride down many parts Of them is frighttul. If
Won attempt to keep a tight hand upon the curb,
the mulc,ecr always pulls the rein slack with
"Larga, SENIOR" 50 that you must resign your
self to your fate in patience. The certainty
with which the mules, Ponies and horses treae.
these prccipices is amazing; TALL upon the
paved WAYS is very rare. In returning indeed
from the Corral, horse threw me like shot
between some sharp masses ofrock; was much
shaken, but provdenty not materially bruised.
The strength of the muleteers and porters is
very surprising, they will run thirty miles by
your side with ease, helping themselves on by
the friendly horse-tails, and remember two
youths carrying lady in palanquin to---Cav-
ahal's house, which is five or six miles right
up the breast Of very steep mountain, and
keeping ahead of our horses The whole way. The
oalanquin is neat cot With curtains and pill
lows, swung from single pole; one bearer is
in front, the other behind, and The pole passes
over the left shoulder of one and the right Of
the other, and they each have a staff placed at
right angles under the pole, upon which they
1851 VIC uuOSSuPiSu al Ill aHH P'N" W =" ''S
balance.
We had most delightful ramble about the
grounds Of this celebrated villa, and stroled
through avenues of green and golden oranges,
and gazed at the blue sea through thousand
openings in the foliage, The house is very ell
egant, the chapel classical, and the summer
house at a little distance commands a most
magnificent prospect Of the varied scenery be-
low.
In returning more quietly through the town,
saw that happen to others which had not
happened to me- Some of the midshipmen be-
ing on shore, had been making themselves a.
mends for spare living and hard watching du
ring the gale, as they had clear right to do:
then they must tide and where started OF course
in the manner which have described AS the
fortuitous concourse Of atoms would orde:' it,
at the angle of street which they were doub-
| ling they me, the Bishop Of Madeira in his
! palanquin the two foremost wea,hered him,
and bore away, the two hindmost came athwart
hawse upon his lordship, threw him upon his
beam ends, and themselves went down head
| foremost in the mud This had like 10 have
been sad business with these young gentle
men, but Don Fret joaquin de Menezes Atalce
not being hurt, and knowing the land privile-
ges of his Majes,y's naval officers, hoped there
was no limb broken, go, into his seat again, and
wished them good evening, which was very
kind Of the Bishop who is indeed good man