The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-31
Interesting Sketches from Funchal.
UNITED STATES SHIP ERrr, !
Eu, omar O.t 1919 {

Interesting Sketches from Funchal.
UNITED STATES SHIr ERn,
FUhCHAL, Oct q, lSiS.
From Faya our last port, addressed letters to
several, detailing the more prominent incidents Of
our cruise from New York to that port, and have
now an opportunity of continuing the narration to
the time Of our arrival here. We had a passage
OF ten days from Fayal to Madeira. But to re-
sumo my journal from the close of my last letter,
when we had just sighted the bluff coast of Fayal
WESTERN ISLANDS
These islands are nine IN number. They are
sometimes known as the Azores, a name bestowed
by the original dlscoverers on account OF the num-
Der of hawks seen lowering over them. AT the
time OF their discovery they were deemed so i'm
porant an acquisition to the crown of Portugal,
that the relgning monarch went in person to take
possession. should suppose that they contained
IN the aggregate about $50 900 inhabitants a num-
Der far less than they might be expected to support
four hundred years after their original settlement
They are under some degree of cultivation, but
are said by those beet acquainted with the subject
not to produce one.iwenteth part OF what they
might be made to yield under a better administra-
uon OF government, and less impotent race than
the present possessors. The people appear to be
the descendants of F'emlsh and Portuguese adven-
turers and am inclu ed to believe to some extent
among the lower classes, from Moors subjugated
and transported into slavery They are artess and
inofenslve, and 100 peaceablc to chafe under the
yoke OF bad government Fettered by the con-
tracted colonial policy OF the fifteenth century,
obsolete among most nations, but still adhered to
by Portugal and Spain with suicidal tenacity, the
original lnaptitude tor political and commercial pro-
g1ess has grown INTO an aversion for change.
A distinguished writer on chemistry asserts that
the civiazuion of people may be measured by
the quantity OF soap annually consumed, and
may seek my illustration from the kitchen and
farmhouse: without off nding the dignity Of the
Wa akz1l
ments of husbandry are those of their forefathers
The cart-the sole vehicle for transportation IN
town and country-ls interesting as relic of pri-
meval times. 1t lssa plain box, lashed to rovolv-
ing axle; pair at sOhd wooden wbe els, without
tires, are fortified by the heads of large spikes
planted round their circumference excavating the
roads and tearing up the pavements when turned
round i by sheer force, grating and creaklng with
the rotation OF the axle 1t Is as painful to the oxen
as IT is to the eye of the stranger.
The walking habit of the females reminds one
of the pictures OF an auto de fe in Fox's Book of
Martyrs. II is long blue cloth cloak, hanging
from shoulders to feet, without fold, surmounted
by an enormous hood OF the same material. AS
the size OF this grotesque head-dress is token of
the fashion OF the wealer it will occasion no sur.
prize to state that 1t is measured by yards and not
by inches, and Is only limited by the pecuriary
means of the owner, just like the bottoms of the
pania!ooDs IN fashion, when left home AS the
cloak is worn Tor the style, it is dispensed
with, summer or winter; and doubtless answers
just as we'll tor the one as the other. When fairly
wrapped in this envelope, to the full capabihty Of
the garment, the hands, the ieet, and the face are
invisible; and as they move along with stately
steps, you only discover walking cylinder, topped
by the flaps OF this expanded head piece; and as
the lead turns for observation, without disclosing
the face within, you are reminded of locomotive
funnel, surmOunted by huge wind vane. The tout
ensemble is that OF broad-axe sheathed, handle
and blade. IN broadcloh. 1t is earb more favor
able to masquerade than to movements, and may
har ind, &bottl Aoa
tC be recognised; and this TALES with the suppo-
siton that the style imported from the coast of
Anca, where 1t is said that beauty is thought to be
no ornament, Although the custom might har-
NOME remarkably well with the morals of place
where the wearers found It convenient to eluds the
watchful eyes OF husbands and fathers. have not
been lptoims that It is used tqEA a4abfDf" ffB6r
and other produce OF the islands, is contraband and
famine, there has been considerable success IN
obtaining them. The manufacture and sale of
tobacco is mo nopolv of the government, and, Of
course, is largely smuggltd; The came is true of
the cutting ofsome valuable kinds of timber, which,
like our live oak, is rendered scarce, from depre-
datloDs Some other staples are excluded, by the
imposition OF prohibitory duties where it cannot
be assigned TO any policy, unless 1t be DISPOSE
ton to repress and discountenance commercial
enterprise, or narrow jealousy of the prosperity
Of foreign merchants, who have attempted to IN
Toduce such articles. A few years ago Mr. Dab
pey imported a cargo of ice, as an experiment.
The new article met with ready sale. The en-
larged views of the government Immediately de-
creed duty of $40 per ton. Ofcourse more
Ice wa imported.
The fruits uf restriction and monopoly are a
paralysis of commerce, scanty revenues. incredl-
bly, low prices for labor, and general decline of
industry, The wages of woman of all work
are dollar a month; of a soldier, eight cents a
day; and. yet they MAINTAIN family, and lay up
money.
The inhabitants were formerly compelled by law
IN cOnflne their trade the nj lshon. hut
lapguish hing condition Of the islands suggested a
relaxation OF this restriction, SO as to allow OF
wider range Of commerce.
in spite Of perverse and sadly misunderstood
revenue system, and The character OF the people so
uncongenlsl to mercantile pursuits, still prolific
soil and genial climate, the central location, ad-
vancipg the fruits of the tropics thlr four days
sail OF England convenience of resort for supplies
and ,eitIlng, and the good quality and chea pne SIS
OF the wines and other produce, all consplre to
command certain amount OF commerce. Fif-
teen TO twt nty thousand tons OF wines and fruit
ale annually exported 10 England, and tair pro-
The staples Of our country for In the regular
trade, there is respectable ready money and bar
ter trade with our whalers, who are encouraged to
resort here Tor refreshments.
The geology d these islands, especially of St.
Mlchaefs, Is very Interesting, and presents the
grsndest results Of volcanic action. The whole
sutece OF the country. and even the bed of the
ocean. have been broken up. Mountains, torn
from their bases, have bee n hurled into the val
leys, OF sw allowed up In the bosom OF the earth.
About forty years ago, submarine volcano, after
violent commoiop, lifted its crater upon the
sea, and after a short time, entirely disappeared.
The eye is consequently q atifs by the greatest
diversity OF grand and pleasing scenery, craegy
masses CLEFT and chaDneled, dizzy precplces and
haunted ravlnes, are associated with spots of the
most soft and quiet beauty. Conceal hills, barren
and scanned with sharp ridges 81 lava, lit their
hesds, crowned with extinct craiers to overlook
luxurisnt slopes clothed with vineyards, pastures
groves OF fruit. and gardens OF aromatic plants
This letter is 90 long that will leave my next
Tor more particular mention OF Faya
CAvAIGNAc's TUTOR Coll, ge someir es causes
singular connections IN this world NJ Vatout was
agTsduate Of the College of St Barrie, as was also
General Cavaienac NJ. Rasps,, who has been
nominated to the Presidency by the Socialists,