Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-03-05

From the New Quarterly Magazlne.l


The chief interest of Madeira is the
extraordinary beauty of its scenery, and
in the delicious mildness of its climate.
True it is that for many years past it
has been denounced by certain medical
authors. Every doctor who wants to
write up a new winter health resort be-
gins by attempting to write down Ma
deira, as likely to prove its most formi-
dable competitor. | venture to think
that few non-medical persons have read
more about European health resorts, or
read with stronger interest in arriving
at the strict truth in the matter, than
myself. The result of my investiga-
tions was to go to Madeira, and in
quiries on the spot, among persons who
can have no object in misrepresenta.
tion, have strongly confirmed my choice.
The chief charges against Madeira find,
as l expected, quite untenable. These
charges are three in number: first, the
prevalence of the scorching Leste, or
Sirocco the east wind which blows from
Africa, and comes TO Madeira charged
with the heat and dryness which reign
over the Sahara DESERT secondly, the
damp of the climate; and thirdly, the
frequency of rain. But it turns out that
the Leste is never disagreeable and
never frequent except in summer; in
winter it blows but once or twice, and
its effect at that season upon human be-
ings is described as rather pleasant and
exhilaratipg than otherwise. The damp
ness, so evident to the perceptions Of
those who recommend rival health re-
sorts, is certainly not appreciable to the
, senses of an invalid, nor is it even cog
nizable to science, inasmuch as the hy-
grometer notes II degrees as the aver
age degree of humidity in Funchal,
and the best medical authorities give
from seventy to eighty degrees Of rela-
tive humidity as that which is most
agreeable to human beings. AS
regards rain, there falls on an average
but twenty-nine inches in the year; and
even this does not represent the full free
dom from rainy weather enjoyed by Ma
deira, for when the rain falls in the
island, it falls quickly and heavily, and
while in Torquay-our very best English
winter climate-about the same annual
amount of rain descends, we have in
Madeira but eighty. eight days of rain in
the whole year, while the people of Tor
quay have to endure no fewer than one
hundred and fifty.fve. This is all the
foundation possessed by the three indict-
ments commonly preferred against
Madeira. On the other hand, no Euro
pean climate has so mild and equabe q
winter, is so free from chilling winds,
sudden and excessive cold and dryness;
in no European station are the nights so
warm, the MONDAY sun SO little scorch-
| ing. No European town is so free as
Funchal from endemic or epidemic dis
cases. that is, which range from ague and
marsh fever to scarlet fever and typhus.
Atno European station is vegetation fall
kinds so luxuriant and so lovely; in no
other health resort is such varied seen
cry to be enjoyed; and in no climate,
probably, in the whole world, is it posi-
BILE for an invalid to take so much out
door exercise in the course of the year;
in none is dust on the roads so absolutely
unknown; and, what is perhaps Of more
importance than anything else, in none
is locomotion, by means Of ponies, pal
anquins and sleighs, as easy and so suit
able to sick persons. These excellences
in the MADEIRA climate have recommen-
ded it, as a special resort for consump'
tive patients; but it is, perhaps, quite as
beneficial in a great variety OF other
complaints, such as renal affections,
asthma, bronchitis, gout, and certain
forms of rheumatism, and, above all, in
convalescence from fevers. Madeira is
still resorted to annually by about three
hundred English visitors.