The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-14
THE ISLE OF MADEIRA.
Land of Flowers and Fruits-Funchs
and Its Inhabitants.

."
and Its Inhabitants.
Coming from South Africa we landed at
the lovely island of Madeira, which is one
of the largest of a group in the North
Atlantic ocean, and, remaining at Funchal,
its capital, five hours, the passengers of
the steamer had ample time to take in the
surroundings and sights of this famous
Portuguese colony. The language mostly
spoken is Portuguese. The climate being
mild, luxuriant and invigorating, the
island is great resort for delicately con-
stituted and consumptive people. 1t was
distressing sight to witness numbers of
manned, crippled and diseased creatures
along the landing, exhibiting their de-
formities and imploring help from the
strangers. Then crowds of dirty children
follow one persistently about, going down
on their knees and exclaiming: "Please
penny; me no fader, no moder" They
all seem to be deprived of parents.
One cunning little fellow with the
copper he had received from one passenger
rushed off, purchased some flowers. bought
again, ard before long had doubled and
doubled his penny. Madeira is garden of
flowers. Geraniums grow wild the fuchsias
are abundant, and the creeping species
in perfection, and yield the rarest and
sweetest perfumes. Fruit is plentiful and
of a delicious flavor. 1t is a picturesque
scene TO visit the large fruit market, the
Portuguese women in their peculiar ma
tive costume putting up baskets of various
kinds of tempting fruit for sale. For six
pence one can secure as much as he cares
to be burdened with. The guavas, COM
l.
are as large as a good-sized peach, of a
dark-red color when thoroughly ripe, ex-
tremely juicy and sweet. Bananas are
plentiful and very cheap. For sight-see-
ing one can be carried about in a sedan
chair or hammock, borne by two bearers.
who travel very leisurely along and point
out anything of note. One can also hire a
curtained car on sledges, made to hold
four persons. drawn by pair of small
bullocks no larger than Shetland ponies.
which are tame and domesticated and
love to be stroked and admired. This is
novel way of travelling, but decidedly
SLOW A noted convent stands on one of
the high SUBMITS. and to get there one
must be drawn up In sledge.
Much lace, lovely embroidery and I'M
derwear are made by the inhabitants. as
well as wax ana paper MOWERS, all OF which
are brought on board the steamers for ex-
hibition and sale, together with baskets,
chairs, etc, of wickerwork. The streets
are narrow and fairly clean, and paved
with small, round stones, and have no
sidewalks. The houses are scattered and
stand on prodigious rocks. so the walking
is difficult. Pico Ruivo, the highest sum-
mit situated in the center of the island,
is 6, 100 feet high, and some OF the adjacent
SUBMITS are little lower. The depth and
narrowness of the ravines. the holiness of
the rugged peaks that tower above them.
and the bold precipices of the coast, afford
many scenes of grandeur which are cen
stantly changing as the traveller advances.
An interesting sight is the little Portu-
luese boys, who come in boats to the ship.
and dive cleverly into the sea for the
glittering coin which the passengers
throw into the water l. II