Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-01-05
Misrellanfons.
THE ISLE oE THE BLEST,
OR,
MADEIRA TO AMERICAN EYES.
BIZ II. c. VICTOR.

BIZ H. C. VICTOR.
AT a distance one is disappointed in the
first view of Madeira; where the most luxu-
RANT vegetation was looked for, nothing is
seen but apparent sterility. A nearer view,
however, undeceives the visitor. The sup
posed bleak hillsides are cut into terraces,
| which are covered with luxurious verdure;
every available spot-and many that are not
lis cultivated and made to bring forth its
quota of delicious fruits, vegetables. ETC.
This terrace cultivation is upon q near view.
fine feature in the many hucd landscape of
the Wooded 1sle," though it contributes
very much to the illusion, at distance, of
the savage sterility of the island.
To paint in the mind proper picture of
Madeira, as seen from point near its prin-
cipal town of FuLchal, we would have to
imagine huge pile made up of lofty noun
tains, cut up here and there by deep cavern
Gus ravines. the mountain-tops IL the clouds,
| the ravines terraccd step on step of dark
green until they are lost in the mist above
the white minging with the green, sub stance
with the shadow, until lost in the vapory
world above ;-mountaiu- sides terraced of,
wooded to their very SUBMITS, the dark gray
of the rocks contrasting finely with The flow
cry foliage which springs from every possible
seen beautiful villa. or neat cottage, peer
ing from it's lovely surroundings like some
shy beauty, afraid in its modesty and con
sciousness of loveliness, oe being seen.
a nearer view of the island-I mean such
a one as may be had from the island itself
would reveal numerous cascades and water
falls, sparkling, flashing, and trembling in
the pleasant sunshine, leaping from rock to
rock on their way down to the sea. During
and after the rainy season many of these may
be seen afar out at sea; which, whether seen
from sea or shore, form one of the finest
pictures in the romantic scenery of the is
land The waterfall is detected sometimes
afar off, girding some gray, huge rock, and
then lying beside it though holding con-
verse with the hoary-headed, taciturn sage;
r then its brightness is hid from view by a
clump Of foliage; again it goes bounding over
ever-varying song all the time-now one Of
deep bass, grand the mountains towering
around, organ-like and sweet, deep song
of JOYS" again the strain changes, after some
mad !eap;-mayhap It hath hurt itself, for
now it sings sadly, brea thing forth deep
tremulous music-bass still, but sad;-now
the breeze watts its notes loud and deep on
the ear; anon it sounds away off, its gushes
of melody are borne past you, winging their
way to the mystic spirit-land of music, SO low
t; and swees that it seems the faint echo of the
t. voices cf those whose song is like unto the
sound Of the voice OF many waters" Again
=. its voice is borEe to you loud, noisy, and
% laughing-sacrilegiou laughter, too. as il
quits its mountain recesses and hastens on te
it's mo,her-sea. As you follow it's winding:
y aloft peering into the recesses of the rocks tt
catch glimpse of the ones which strike the
notes of the harp SO full of melody, you may
see peering out of some nook, a little cot
d, half hidden by the foliage of the orange
magnolia, banana, or mass of Towering
shrubs-the spirit of peace seeming there t
keep company with that of melody.
of Madeira is literally land of fruits ant
fowers-blcssed with a genial CLINE (tn
, temperature of which scarcely varies ten de
grees the year round, averaging, at the Sea
at about 20 degrees, and less at a higher eleva
tiop, } it produces in the greatest perfection
most of the tropical, and many of the fruits
flowers and vegetables of tie temperate re
" sions. Oranges, lemons, citrons, guavas
pomegranates, pine-apples, melons, apples
pears, peaches and many others, are pro
duced in abundance; also almonds, chest
nuts, Brazilian nuts, etc. Fine qualities G
'al coffee are also raised Of flowers there is al
endless and ever blooming variety. Gerani
ums grow wild on the mountain sides; tn
me air is laden with the fragrance Of roses, c
which there is a wilderness. The habitation
of the people buried in fruit and shad
trees, or embowered in Towering Shrubs.
is another attractive feature to Mader
he landscapes-the lovely villas, and pictur
esque little little cots, planted here and ther
over the mountain sides and cliffs. sometime
W away up to be reached only by incline
planes. Peering out from amid wildernes
of sweets, you may see portions of column.
or lattice, or section of white wall
/. the white contrasting beautifully with th
oo evergreen foliage. l know of no place-au
have visited many lovely spots where th
recuse who loved lovely solitude, could s
-, effec,ually scclude him or herself from tt
i'- busy haunts of life, amid scenes of true lovl
ness and repose, as at Madeira. wonder
me has not been made the home of poetic soul
ere this. If the hills of Greece could beg
inspiration in the souls of its gifted son
D; Madeira shou' d doubly be the home of tt
oy, MUSES., for the hills of Greece in its palmie
DAYS, never shone with that spirit of beau
which now makes radiant the very mounta
tops of the .'Blest Isle" But alas Il
spirit of poesy dwells not in the breasts OF
: people which could boast of Camoens.
he the spirit of Art loves to dwell where Il
lad beautiful in Nature predominates, then oug
r" N oroati of PhidiaS IN start from eve