The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-09-21

u, s. FRiGArk CossrsfUrios,
Funehsl HaIbor, Island Of Madeira,
June 26th, 1914

Funebsl HaIbor Island Of MADEIRA,
June 26th, 1874.
We left the United States on the 29th of MAY,
aud, after passage of eighteen days, srrived q. 'e
island OF Fsysl GA the 10th June, with me non
Henry A. Wise and family, passengers To Brazil =
We anchored in the Bay Of Orls at p. NJ, too late
TO pay our respects TO the American Consul al ua'
place. We were up bright and early, however, next
morning, anxious 10 get view OF the c'y Dy sun
rse, and nothing could lie more interesting thah ue
sight. Tbs houses, built Of lava, oi which me
island Is composed generally OF the same SIZE,
and, at distance, with tbe sun shining upon them,
gsten like silver a number Of churches, win their
tall spires, seen, and far up tho mountain the I'M
meDse ravines formed by the rains which periodical
ly affect Fays exhibit at the power and subm-
ity Of The Almighty. We were visited in the morning
BY the Vice Consul, (Frederick Dabney, Esq y who
during our short stay at the island, made up by his
coldality for the absence of his brother, c. w. Dab
ney, Esq who Tor so many years has filled with sat-
isfaction the office of Consul the island the kind
treatment we received from our friends in Fayal will
not soon be forgotten by the officers Of this ship.
About four miles from Fayal is the island OF . n
CO." the peak of which is between 5000 and 900
feet above the level Of the IL is volcanic, and
hot steam ssues from the crater daily and while in
winter snow can be found half way down the noun
taiD the mouth Of the crater is entirely bare. On
account OF the distance did not deem IL advisable
To ascend the volcano, and probably lost Of The
most interesting scenes in the Azores. From the
edge OF the island 10 the summit is distance Of
eighteen miles, over rocky roads not an envable
journey with hot run overhead.
The climate Of Fayai, however, ranks next in
salubrty 10 that Of Madeira the thermometer rarely
being above 80 deg, or lower than SO degrees, and
the people generally enjoy good heath. A visit to
the con'ups garden IS treat rarely to be met with,
and gives one idea of the state of cultivation Of
which the land rs capable The whole island is one
mass Of lava in its different stages Of decomposition,
and nfh nd
b'es are found In great abundance.
Dur stay being short in the island we employed
our Time as usefuy possible in visiting the cathe
drals Publications and other places of interest 70 the
stranger, and were well paii for our trouble. he
governor Of The island is from Lisbon, and main
Ialns ms posi- as long as peace and quiet reign in
On he evening Of the 18Th inst ball was given
TO the, Hon. Henry A. Wise and lady and the Off
GERS OF the Constitution which was attended by the
elite Of the island Nothing occurred to maj the fes-
nvlty OF the evening, and though the Portuguese la
dies keep dark in the day time, yet that night they
shone in great splendor. They are extra, aganily
fond OF Waiting, and found the Ame rican gen lemen
anxious TO please them The next evening delight
iui lille party was gwen on board ship to The
IN return for the many cvltes he had shown us, by
making our visit agreeable possible 1t was al
tended by the Epglish consul and other high iunc-
tionanes OF the island and at late hour the coapa-
ny broke up, highly pleased with their VISA sod
lronsides"
The next day took leave of our kind friends in
Feyal ard shall not soon forget the courteses re-
celved from the Dobney family. In the afternoon
we weg he'd anchor and stood out for Madeira and in
exactly Jour days from leaving Fayal anchored in
FuDchal Bay. Here we found the En- gllsh irigate
America The Portuguese frigale Diana, and an Is
gun tre Of the same nation. The America sailed
on The 10Th ior Brazil, and was commanded by the
Hon. Captain Gordon, brother Of Lord Aberdeen
she was buIll by our government the close of the
revolution, and gwen TO the French, from whom the
Engl sh took her and made her razee.
Madeira has The appearance at distance of solid
mass OF rock, but on nearer approach one is sur
prsed that he should have been much dece ved as
1t is 10 high state of cultivation, and has the ad-
vantage oil Faya IN scenery, the latter island being
without trees, While Madeira i, thlcky covered and
strange as IT may SEEM the fuel of Fayal is obtained
IRON What was once The crater Of the volcano, the
inside OF which Is covered with myrtle, &c. No
wood is used except for culinary purposes and suf-
hcient supply is taken from the interior Of a mountain
Mr. Bay MIN, the vice consul at Funchs, rece we'd us
Win courtesy, but II Is out OF my power 10 We full
description OF the attentions and touble Of this gen.
ukman to make our stay at Madeira pleasant and
agreeable as possible
A visit to the convent of1I.a Clara is well worthy
the attention Of stranger in the is and. Here are
found The beautiful wax figures, feather flowers &c ,
&c, so much coveted by the American ladies' and
which lar surPass those OF any other place IN the
world. The nuns make them, and large guam
titles are sold 10 strangers who visit The island
Another convent, dedicated TO The White lady
Of The Mountain" Is about four miles up the
country. party of officers from the shin
took horses and set out in the morning. accompanied
by guides, 40 an "explorng expedition" On ar.
rvng at The door OF tue convent were met by two
monks, who politely welcomed US, and gave us er-
mission 10 view the figures and pictures OF our Sa
and his apostles. The only worshIpper we found
was poor Portuguese soldier, who seemed the vcry
picture of DEVOTION and we could not help feeling
while looking at The simple beng upon his knees be-
fore the Virgin Mary, degree of 1--WE which the
place 'sell coud hardly convey. Around the oathe-
dfsl were several fountains, on which were placed
statues Of the Virgin and thus the peasant while
drawing water, Is reminded that The giit is not an
earthly one, and that b. on higher he most
depend for supply. f
Horseback and donkey riding are the only mean.
of Iocomouon IN the island, excepting palanquioe by
the ladies. Our guides chung to horses tails nike
burs, and nothing could drive them from their hold -
Fact riding Is not allowed in MADEIRA and il mo-
hhit,d by fine Of three dollars and they have the
advantage OF our laws, for Is always collected from
the offender.
In short passage thus far has been one ofin.er
est and instruction 10 day or Two we leave for
RIO Janeiro, trusting that any Of our national ships
chat shouls hereafter stop at either of he above
islands may receive the same attentions as ourselves
Etery thing has been done that could in the less,
prove Tor comsrt and may the rest of the cruise
e pleasant as that already passed at the ands Of
Fsyd aud Madeira. s.
Alphabetically few ladies who wear and sd
miro the beautiful fabric called Alpaca are aware of
the source Of its production. The Alpaca in a wool
a., artux al ND r.. Co.,,