Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-03-07
Correspondence.
FROM OVER THE OCEAN.
Entertaining Letter from Judge
Emery-Party all well.

I
bet tween Madeira ard Glib :
faitar, Friday, Feb. o, 1900.
To the Editor Of The american:
We sailed from Boston Feb. 1, on our
"cruise to the ORIENT, and so far have
had favorable passage; two days OF
heavy seas but no storms. The first three
days were cold, but since that we have
had Msy weather or warmer. Thursday,
about 10 30 a. M, we sighted In the east
ern horizon large, dark cloud which
seemed to be stationary, and was hailed
as Madeira. Every one pushed eagerly
forward fer glimpse OF something that
did not moye-that had an air OF rest.
As we approached nearer. the island
took on outlines very like those OF Mt.
Desert island approached from the east,
only some three times larger. Great
Head was very conspicuous on the left,
some three times enlarged. Newport,
Kebo and Green mountains were recog
nizsbie though from 1900 to 1900 feet
high, and covered with vedure to their
submits.
As we coasted along we could see the
white walls and red-tiled roofs OF houses
at the foot and up the sides OF the noun
tains, and now and then some church or
large country villa. Breaking through
the mountains every few miles were deep,
dark ravines or cross valleys like those so
common In the Alps. The mountain
streams flowed down these ravines past
some little village at the sea, but here and
there some stream would break away and
-. 70 ..ku IL.
silver cord Ia cloth of red.
A, p. M. we rounded small, low
point and were I'm front o; Fuuchal OH
the south side OF the island, town of
some 20 op0 people. The flags at the mast
heads were unloosed, and as the stars and
stripes fioated out from the ioretopmast,
We all broke into a cheer, while the band
struck up "rhe Star spangled Banner.
l felt the tears in my own eyes, and could
see them In the eyes OF others. We soon
turned our attention to the shore and
waited for developments while the ship
showed signals for pilot.
While thus waiting in the ofiing q
British gunbost came In from the east
ward, and exchanged laundering saiutes
with the shore batteries. A large freight
steamer, the ''Dshomey"'. also passed in
from the south and anchored. The pilot
took Us In about third OF . mile from
the shore. The health officers came out
to inspect our health bill and approved
Il.
Then the fun began. Almost instantly
email boats appeared with wicker chairs,
fruits ETC., for sale. Men and boys clam
ored for US to throw coin In the water,
and " hen one was thrown would dive for
1t, overtske it about ten feet below the
surface, come up triumphant aud ciamor
for snot her. The yelling was all around
the ship aud In ali keys.
Soon came the landing. Il was 80 appail-
ing to view that half the passengers de-
ciiued to undertake II. No one from
Maine fiipcbed, however. We flied down
the ladder to the foot, and there paused
while the small Madeira boat bounced up
and down some fi.teen feet and the spray
flew about. As the boat came up to the
ladder passenger was dropped into 1t,
aud then down II went fifteen feet below.
As IT came up again another passenger
would he dropped In. and so on until six
were taken; then of the boat swung and
was pulled over q heavy swell OF sea to the
shore. There anothe crisis was passed.
The boat ca me to a small jetty and AS 1t
rose on the swell two brawny Portuguese
watermen would seize a passenger aud
haul him out by arms or collar.
Once on land, however, We were all re-
paid. Funchai Ia the most quaint,
picturesque, every way -interesting old
town ever saw. No horses or carriages,
only buiIock-sleds and litters to ride in.
The streets are narrow, paved with small
stones about the size OF an egg, and over
these pavements a pair OF builocks drag a
sled trans porting passengers and merchan-
disc. The fashionable lady is carried on a
litter borne by two men. The shops were
quaint aud cute, cooper shops, black
smith shops. bakeries, jewellers, glove
dealers, all in the same narrow street and
all MIXED up in small seven by nine rooms.
Out OF second story windows handsome but
curlvus monsn looked To see the hock oil
invaders. Children tiocked about US in the
streets Offering flowers and making our
artists Wild over their handsome eyes and
figures. One party OF older boys and girls
called out as we passed Hello, America.
cannot give you any idea OF the pro-
fusion and beauty OF the flowers every
where. Canary birds were singing In the
trees, gardens were on every hand. The
temperature was about 20 degrees and this
was February s. How many flowers were
blooming in gardens and canary birds
singing in trees in Ellsworth on that day
All too soon was heard the hoarse
scream OF the steamers big siren calling
us back from he land of delight to take
up again our voyage by sea. As We
steamed away hundreds OF eyes looked
longipgly back to the lights OF Funchal,