Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-26
FATAL.

FATAL.
 Many leagues distant on the broad bosom of the Atlantic, removed from the strife and bus tie of the busy world, lie the s'far off fair Azores" once the limit of the boldest naviga- tion to the westward So remote and so quaint are they that even in these stirring times they 1 remain kind of dream land that has never been fairly aroused from drowsy slumbers since the days when the bold adventurers of Spain and Portugal sank into the lethargy that followed their marvellous exploits by flood and shore.
 Suggestive of sea girt rocks, dashing brine, and romantic adventures of other times, they are indeed picturesque when viewed from the sea in fair day. Rugged peaks rise abruptly out of the ocean, and slowly ascend in broken curves until their summits are lost in the clouds. The surf beats monotonously against the rock-bound shores, the clouds sailing over head cast deep shadows over the wild noun tain sides and occasional hamlets, quaint pie lures of other days, present scene of repose that fills the spectator with calm delight. The group consists of nine islands, viz; Corvo Flores, Graciosa, Fayal.S .SSan Jorge, Pi- CO., Terceira, San Miguel and Santa Maria, located between the parallels of 36 o-5O' and 39 -45 North latitude, and longitude 27 and B o-40 West, situation most favorable in respect to climate and productions.
 Being of volcanic origin, many of the peaks and irregular, broken into thousand gullies and ravines. Deposited in these crevasses and along the bases of the mountains is a rich soil once covered with vineyards. Since the ap. pearance of an insect called the oidiun, the vine has not fourished, occasioning great pe- cxniary loss to the islanders. Much of the wine called Madeira was brought from the Azores,
 Although no eruptions have lately taken place, volcanic action in the vicinity of the Western Islands is by no means extinct, and one of the most striking phenomena in nature takes place here-the suddden emersion of new islands from the depths of the sea. The last occurrence of this kind took place in 1867, when, after seven shocks of earthquake, new islet was found near the island of Terceira. In a few days however it disappeared, leaving no traces of it's existence, although soundngs to a depth of 1oso feet were taken over It's posi- tion.
 The Azores derive their name for the num- | hor of hoyu hot being the Portuguese name for that bird. The first discoverer of these islands is said to have been Fleming named Van de Berg who was driven to their shores by storm in 14a9, It is probable that they were known to the Arabians somewhat earlier, as one of the geog- raphers of that nation mentions nine islands to the westward of the Canaries or Fortunate isles. .s-..
 In 1459 the islands were coloniZed by the Portuguese, and their fertile soil and salubri- ous climate soon attracted numerous settlers, Fayal, to which I shall mainly conf1ne this sketch, is one of the central islands of the group and after San Miguel the most frequent l ed.
 It may be taken as r.,f type of the others. Tho o,,..o:.. u Carniero 3,aa6 feet high, res.ing on fantastic base of rocky bluffs 1 fornos in reo,:.J the island. The rough wrin- J -.ou sides of the mountain are cultivated near ly up to the summit, and the little plots of gardens into which they are divided, are hedged with stone walls to prevent the draining away of the soil.
 Eyfa o1a tho of so <bo little seaport of Horta, it's neat white houses, blooming gardens, quaint old churches and convents presenting cheerful picture to the eyes of the storm tossed mariner Protecting the sea front is long wall of hewn stone, f1anked with odd little bastions peaked with turrets and armed with old brass guns long out of date. It is an interesting fact that the heaviest gun in these Notifications is kind of cannon, once known to seamen by the name of 'Long Iom," that did service on board the American privateer "General Armstrong in the war of 1872 This gallant little vessel, af- ter an obstinate defenee, was sunk under the walls of Horta by British squadron in viola tion of all laws of neutrality. .-
 Wind mills with lazy Tapping sails crown the hill tops, and groves of oranges and banan- as are scattered here and there The island was once noted for the variety of it's woods, but they have all disappeared save few clumps of the most useful kinds.
 The roadstead, although the best anchorage among the islands, is almost unprotected except by the island of Pico to the eastward, about five miles distant. Pico is of symmetrical form, and rises to an altitude of 7613 feet, the play of cleud drapery and light and shadow about it's top is very beautiful. On clear day, it's summit may be seen at the distance of seventy-fve miles from seaward Recently the Portuguese government has commenced to build breakwater, which will render the anchorage much more secure In bad weather, ships are obliged to put to sea to avoid being blown on the rocks The harbor is chiefly frequented by whale ships and "fruiters"
 Fayal has a population of about twenty eight thousand souls, a-kindly and hardy race, whose chief occupation is agriculture. In manners and customs they are primitive, be-  ing at least century behind the age. Their implements of agriculture are curiosities of rudeness.
 A peculiar garment worn by the females is kind of cloak of heavy cloth, covering the figure from head to foet, it's folds are ample, and large hood supported by whale bone towers far above the weafer's head It is similar to robe worn by the ladies of Malta called the 0nella
 Both sexes among the lower classes go bare footed, but the peasants from the mountains wear kind of sandal made of an oblong piece of leather, cut at the corners and laced over the foot.
 Among other peculianties, cows are often seen yoked in company with oxen. The don- kev is one of the characteristics of the island