Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-04-21

For the Reflector.
We have .'done" the Madeiras. Blu
as well ASK blind man to describ
the rainbow 10 to attempt an AIDE
quate description Of Funchal, the cap
ital. II 10 dream from Fsiryland;
veritable kiss Of heaven. Citing LIANT
after eight days at sea is q unique
sensation. We heard nothing Of thu
worlds floods, fires, murders and
wars-nor yet Of it's joys. SO made the
most Of our pleasant opportunities on
shipboard. With sermons, Sunday
school In mid.ocean, lectures on
points soon to be visited, conferences,
-'sings," receptions. reading clubs.
camera club, promenades, games Of
skill, and informal visits, there was
enough to render the life on shipboard
most strenuous-quite zoo much so
for those affected with sea-sickness.
i More than half our number were
I somewhat affected. I escaped and
had no regrets. We sighted but q
single ship on the way, showing how
little this route of travel is patronized.
We sighted land about 9 O'Clock Of the
18th. We could discern, in dim out
line resem bling cloud on the hori-
zon, the principal island Of the group,
whose enhancing beauty grew as We
approached nearer. The good ship
cast anchor at noon, ON time to the
minute. A hundred boats Of all sizes
surrounded our vessel, some with
wares, some with missionaries, many
to solicit passengers and most of
them with expert divers, gesticulat-
ing wildly to passengers to toss coins
overboard-white ceins, for copper
could not be observed in the water.
OF the hundreds of coins thrown, l
failed to observe a single instance in
which they failed to get it long before
lit reached the bottom. The harbor
is shallow and the docks insufficient.
Steam launches landed the 800 pas
sengers in short order. They took
the town. Transportation facilities
ARE meagre. There is one lone horse
car, = short line connecting the wharf
with the cog road; new automobile
that scares the natives; few car
sriages, and scores Of bullo-carros in
which people Of quality and curious
sightseers ride. They are a surpria-
ing success as to beauty, speed and
comfort. The runners are Of teal
wood and outlast steel. The streets
are paved with cobblestones often
arranged with q fine mosaic effect.
Sidewalks, plazas. dooryards and
walks are similarly built of little
stones from the beach, set on end.
The principal island, which belongs
to Portugal, is thirteen by thirty
miles and sustains q population Of
over 100, 900; is Of volcanic origin and
exceedingly irregular, but fertile, its
authentic history dating to the time
Of Columbus. Funchal lies in recess
Of the rugged hills with q southern
the business portion lying
round the semi circular hsrhor. There
was much to see, and l was there to
see it. looked and CAPPED and gazed
and stared. 1 paid for the privilege.
you know, and had no reputation to
sustain. Seee "Rubber" has not yet
reached this island. The principal
buildings are quaint, old-fsshioned,
stone, whitewashed or plastered, tile
rooted, ill-ligbted structures, from
200 to 800 years old. The streets are
quaint and narrow with no reference ,
to the compass. The postmaster ,
seemed surprised at the invasion but
knew how to discount American ,
money. Ths postage rate is equal to