The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-12
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the Mediterranean vessels do not call at the Madeiras, which call they sell dom make, and il is always spot of untiring interest.
 | Here the first voyager makes lis initial acquaintance with the denizens l of three eontinents-5urope Asia aud Africa and while Tommy Atkins in his Kahlzf suit predominates, there is sui ticient contingent from the Orient and the dark continent to amuse and en- ltertain.
 Tine streets are narrow and throngef with representatives from the triple quarters of the globe. The Moors at first attract attention as with their dignified bearing and f.orti -colored gar ments they pass up and down the tho roughfares The Moor proclaims hls domestic relationship by the color of his stockings, one hue announcing that he is married, another declaring his IbacEelorhood and third designatinS | that he is a widower.
 There is something pathetic in the melancholy and sullen demeaner of this remnant of once great race. The | Moor gave civilization it's first knowl- edge of astronomy and mathematics and much of the grandeur of European | architecture is due 10 the influence of an oriental style Valiant in warfare and chivalrous in punctiliousness he had long been accustomed to regarding his race as the superior one Of thls earth Now as he casts about him. while he will not openly acknowledge it. he inwardly recognizes and admits the superiority of the Anglo-SaXon. Like the red man of the west, he has gone down before his foe and been compelled to step aside in the path of the worlds advancement and this soured him to degree Of deep moroseness.
 The Moorish market is the pivoted point of interest where naked necked fowls and rare Arabic coins of the thirteenth century are sold. Here l once purchased a carved wooden head of John the Baptist or Prester John the merchant not being quite certain as to which one it represented; but 1T either of them was faithfully portrayed in the image, l would not imagine that the prototype made many converts; it's ifdeousness was positively appalling. The figure came from northern Africa where, strange to say. John the Bap- tist is held in higher reverence than IS our Savior and where quaint legends anent John tile Presbyter (commonly called Prester John) are perpetually current.
 This parsonage was reputed to be Christian sovereign of fabulous wealth and great prestige. Sir John Maunde- vile minutely described him in his odd annals more than one embassy was sent out in the early ages to locate him and q special envoy dispatched by one Of the popes to his supposed realms Was never heard of again
 The Straits of Gibraltar are only eight miles wide in their most narrow point and the fortress-croWned rock rises lZOo feet in sheer ascent from the sea, but for some time back visitors have not been permitted to inspect the Notifications un- less presenting a special permit so to do One can however, visit the famous monkey hole high up the rock. The story is that at one time the European side of the straits was infested with moneys but upon a certain evening they all en- tered this hole and never appeared again inc suppcsiton being that the aperture ccnects with a narrow passage leadlhS under the water to Africa.
 There is peculiar feature or the place that always enlists the curiosity of the visitors but the purpoIt of which a ma iority fail to fathom, and this IS broah naralleloeram of gliStening substance fashioned on the eastern side of the rock After vain conjecture one learns that u is surface of grooved glass several inches in thickness Under the rays or inc sun it becomes considerably heated and when touched by the cooling air Of night a heavy dew Is preclpitated there on which runs down the grooves to general conduit leading into cistern from which 1t is pumped up into. the fortress It constitutes the only water supply of the Notifications. . -...I
 First visitors should not miss a drlVe to the Alameda gardens. the celebrated rar< of Gibraltar, but as ] have seen them so frequently I always make trip to Algeceiras in Spain and dine at the famous Reina Gristina hotel. Ferry 5oasS plv between Gilbatar and this Southern railway terminal of Spain but their hours are such that one has not much oppor- tunty for seeing the city. Consequently I usually enlist the association of few passengers on the vessel before landing who by contributing half dollar aacn can charter a private steam launch anI visit Algeceiras at their leisure. The place is noted as being the scene of recent oeace conference between Ger many and France and it's bull fight enter tainments.
 1: is also great shipping port for the cork timber. great quantities of whicn may be seen on the wharves in it's nat- ural condition as brought from the for cstS.
 The citizens usually anticipate snch visits when steamer arrives and place tnelr houses in most perfect order. The doors of tho gardens arc left open for in- snecfion ol strangers and many of the