Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-10-22
THRER OCEAN oLImATEs.

Madeira, the Azores. and the Cana
ries.
From Land and Water.l
It Is nigh upon century since England
began in any public sense, to make acquaint-
ance with an ocean climate to which, with
| some fluctuations, she has remained faithful
| ever since. Doctors come and doctors go;
but we still visit Madeira, and, whether in or
| out of health, take delight in the unchsng-
ing anodyne of its atmosphere. The peculiar
mental and bodily balm which it seems to
administer was described by seaman in tho
expression that sit seems to be always Sun
day there"
OF quite recent years we have taken q step
southwark and added the Canary Islands, or,
rather, two out of the seven of that group.
At intervals we also hear something more or
less vague about the azores. A popular idea
exists, for which it is difficult to account,
that the climate Of the azores approximates
more, instead of less, to that of the tropics
than those of the other groups. Possibly
this may arise partly from their reputation
for the production of pineapples, which,
however, are grown exclusively under glass
AS is the case also in Madeira. But the
temperature is at no time equal to pine grow
ing out of doors, and the Azorean climate is,
in fact, intermediate between those of
Madeira and England. Though unvisited
by frost or snow except on the mountain
tops. the character of winter is more Der.
ceptibls than in Madeira; and the equability
of temperature more varied by Gulf Stream
influences. On the other hand, it is far
more equable than in Continental countries
at the same latitude, as, for instance, in CEN
tral Spain or Italy.
Between Madeira and Canary the differ
ences are at rongly marked, and the more 10
because the only residential places in Ma
deira are on the sheltered south coast;
whereas Los Palmas, in Grand Canary, and
Orotava, in Tenneriffe, are more or less open
to the North Sea trade wind. Persons 90.
ing from Madeira to Canary are at once
conscious of what is called astronger" air,
and drier; though the balmy winter tenn.
perature remains. The change is oftened
accompanied with some disappointment on
account of the very arid appearance present.
ed by the Canaries at first sight. The lux
uriant vegetation in which Madeira is clothed
seems to be entirely lacking, and the wooded
heights are replaced by stony ridges and
frowning Cliffs This is due to the vast hy-
grometric difference in the two latitudes.
The Canaries must be explored to be admired
and enjoyed. Their character partakes more
Of the African, and those of the group which
approach the coast are more African than
it's outlying members. The scenic beauty is
to be found in the raines and valleys rather
than in any coup d'osil. By those who can
afford time, means, and strength for extend
ed excursions and sea trips, different i'm
of others whose range is limited to the above
named two points, where good hotel accom-
mediation is available.
The latter qualification is one which is
still wanting in the Azores. The humidity
of the winter atmosphere is sometimes ex-
cessive, and at intervals during February
and March the average temperament will de-
mand fire in its sitting room. The
moisture, however, is of the nature of sea
damp, not necessarily entailing any evil
consequences, though unsuited to many
ter tourist who desires q change from the
Riviera, the Azores may prove an attractive
outlet; while, Ia any case, their long and
splendid summer is revelation. The noble
crater lakes Of st. Michaels and the boil
ing springs and excellent public baths of
the Furnas valley are features totally unrep.
resented In either Madeira or Canary. At
present, however, these attractions can only
be enjoyed at the cost of somewhat rough
ing it in the matter of accommodation.
Chance has made the Azores more familiar
to our cousins across the Atlantic than to
ourselves. Though at considerably greater
distance, and possessing even less facilities
than ourselves for getting there, Americans
form the majority of the small contingent
of foreign visitors to be found at all seasons
in ST. Michael's and Foyal.
Summing up the leading characteristics of
the three climates, the Azores may be des-
oribed as an all-the-year-round touring coun-
try, and, in that capacity, certainly the most
attractive of the three. For ordinary inva-
lid cases they are q winter resort, so far as
regards an escape from frost, fogs, and
northeasters. But, for the present, means
of access and good accommodation await
development. Madina, from the difficulty
of internal locomotion, is essentially an in-
valid's retreat, and available as an
unequalled s'winter climate" from October
to June During the hot months it necessi-
tates Q move up into the mountains, as well
as an occasional descent to escape the effects
of the rEste, or African hot wind, which
| effects the higher levels more than the coast.
The Csnsries afford dry and marvellously
eouable climate from October to May,
suited to some pulmonary cases, though net
to others, From June to September the
heat Is considerable, though by no means
excessive, and occasional visitations of the
Levante (the local name for the same Afri-
can wind) cannot be avoided. But for
those in the enjoyment of health it may con-
fdently be said that any of the three groups
may be visited with safety at any season,
and there is no doubt that as the means
of communication and residence improve,