Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-03


cold and hot. especially the latter, of iron and
sulphur, which rise in great volumes from the
earth in vast rocky caldTons, boiling hot.
There il 4 very fine marble bath house near
the springs, containing some sixty bath rooms,
with dressing rooms, to which the waters are
conducted. built by the government, free for
all This is the great fashionable watering
place in summer for the nabobs and nobility Of
the islani. as well as of Lisbon, who have built
palatial residences here, surrounded by most
extensive parks filed with forest trees, shrubs
and flowers from every cline. Along the W d
ing paths are grottos, fountains, lakes i'd
murmuring streams and waterfalls, making o
fairyland for lovers.
The ma gnifcent views of sea and landscapes
Afforded from the peaks Of the surrounding
mountains are perfectly enchanting and greatly
add to the charms of this lovely place. Gay
parties Of ladies and gentlemen frequently
form a merry cavslcade on donkeys, by which
most Of these mountain peaks are reached, and
enjoy jolly time.
PovoAcAo-cARMIyHo eRASDE.
The most charming and fashionable drive is
on the Carminho Grande (grand road), which
eads from the village Of Furnas TO the ancient
town of Povoacao pronounced Povoason), on
the southeast part of the island, distance eight
miles. This Dad is forty feet wide and IL cut
in the rocky side of the mountain OF Pico do
Passo. 800 feet high. which 1t gradually
asccnds, With occasional stretches quite level,
and along which cool refreshing springs from
the mountai side empty into marble basins
In ascending this mountain you pass grand for
ests and look down into fearfully deep ravines
and chasrns. with pretty cottages and cultivated
lands in the rich valleys below, until finally by
sudden turn in the road, you reach the top OF
the mountain ridge, when scene OF grandeur
electrifies you with wonder and admiration.
A view of the vast blue ocean breaks upon the
vision. while far down beneath your feet lies u
pretty inlet bay guarded ON each side by high
rocky cliffs. of from which are seen the tiny
sails of fishermen's boats, floating like aphr0-
dites of the sea. Far to the south is seen an
ocean Wow of the indented mountains Of the
island of St. Mary, like a silver cloud on the
horizon. Then, turning to the east, You gaze
down the mountain slope into an exquisite val
ley, where lies the town Of Povoacao, with its
pretty villas and churches extending south to
the seashore and on the slopes of the northern
hills the waving green corn of cultivated lands,
while to the west looms up the great mountain
of Pico ia Yara, the highest on the island, be-
ing $3.50 feet high, the whole scene filling one
with delight.
ECHO cHAsM.
Another scene of varied, exquisite beauty and
phenomenal submit; ia the donkey ride to
the echo Chasm," three miles west from Fur
mas, formed by the chain of the CASTILLO noun
tains, the Pico do Cedros and the Pico da vigia,
where four or five immense precipices and raw
ines meet in fearful ohasm, from
which a startling echo is produced.
The donkey path, as 1t winds its way
up the mountains from ridge to ridge,
passes through a dense forest of pine and cedar,
the roadsides of which are adorned with an I'M
dergrowth of evergreens, blossoming vines,
beautiful ferns and strange wild flowers of
every hue, unknown in American woods. A
grand sen view of both sides of the island Is
presented from Pico da Vigia, while the peaks
of the surrounding mountains, towering toward
of n Al N n N
ture's grandest panoramas.
THE SEVEN CITIES.
Perhaps the most fascinating mountain
scenery of the island of San Miguel is that of
the Sete Cidades. or Seven Cities, at the west
ern end Of the island, ten miles from Ponta
Delgada. 1t is only from tradition that the
fearful story i5 told how that $50 years ago this
was the highest point and most hourishing part
of the island. An immense volcanic mountain
then existed there. surrounded by seven hills,
on which were built seven cities. and which
were all destroyed by an earthquake and the ter
rible eruption of this volcano.
By q donkey ride of two miles you ascend
1SOO feet to the surface Of this great crater
and look down into a vast mountain hollow,
1.50O feet in depth, where a beautiful valley
forms an elipse of four miles in circumference,
dotted with pretty cottages and church. On
the east side of the valley are two lovely twin
lakes, united by narrow neck. and occupying
two-thirds of its area. The striking contrast Of
the color Of the waters Of these lakes is remark
able, the larger one being Of a bright emerald
and the smaller Of a deep cerulean blue.
High above these lakes, to the north and
east, rise the precipitous walls of the crater to
a height Of 2, 700 feet, being the highest sum-
init of Pico do Ledo, which overlooks three
parts of the island, with the ocean on either
side, while you gaze with thrilling awe
down the fearful declivity upon the two lakes
below, presenting a scene of inexpressible
grandeur and beauty.
All the towns and cities of these islands have
their historical legends, the events Of which
are full of the deepest interest, as well as the
primitive manners and customs Of the bour-
geois, or country people. The types of an
tiquity In the moresque architecture and carv-
ings of old churches and converts are very at
tractive and make one feel the sensation Of
treading on the classic ground of past centuries.
FAYAL.
Fayal is second in point Of commerce and
magnificent scenery. The city of Da Horta is
its port Of entry, which has a fine bay, formed
by the headlands of two high promontories,
Espalamanca ON the northeast and Monte da
Gula on the southwest, $40 feet high. The CAL
deira of the volcanic mountain Da Praya do
Norte, 1885 feet high, with crater 800 feet
deep, erup5ed in 1872, destroying many villages
and is the principal scenic attraction. The
drives around the island are charming, espe-
CHtily W tuS NiiItBt Vi OdpclIO, IOurtteu miles
southwest Of La Horta, the road being lined
with beautiful blue hydrangeas of great size.
Fayal is distinguished for being the scene of
the greatest naval battle fought on the ocean,
being that Of the US. private armed brig-of-
war Gen. Armstrong, with British squadron,
in September, 1914. The Armstrong was COM
manded by the father of Col. Reid, Who while
at Fayal, received the distinguished attentions
Of the civil and military governors and the
prominent people Of FayaL The seventy sixth
anniversary of the battle was duly celebrated
there for the first time.
The pivot gun ''Long Tom," forty-two
FOUNDER, which was served on the Armstrong
with such terrible execution to the British
forces, is kept as q relic Of this memorable
battle and is mounted in the castle of San Juan
near which the Armstrong was blown up, and
her wreck lay for years on the beach. Opposite
Fayal. only four miles distant, lies the island of
Pico, celebrated for its fine wines and fruits, is
charming drives and seashore views, overlook
ing the island Of st. Georges. The grandest
volcanic mountain of all these islands is at
Pico, from which it takes its name. Mount
Pico is 1885 feet high. and the magnificent
ever-changing views afforded by the silvery
clouds floating over it, especially at sunset, are
understandable.
What VIII 1t Bring?