The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-04-05

existed In this island paradise were a
few birds. Through colonization Ma
deira and Porto Santo were soon
peopled and today the former has a
density Of population nearly three
times that Of the mother country.
Portugal. Then began the pouring into
Madeira Of the floral good things OF
the earth, a procedure which has
made It wonderland for botanists. OF
primary economic importance was the
Introduction Of sugar-cane from Sicily.
Soon a very important sugar industry
had been built up. Grapes were
brought In from Crete, and BY the time
Of the American Revolution the IA.
nous Madeira wine had shouldereb
sugar from its place Of importance.
Not Prosperous People.
In spite Of the wonderful climate
and soil Of Madeira. its Inhabitants
are not very prosperous. This fact Il
probably chiefly due to the marked
density Of the population. to the lack
Of an adequate educational system,
and to the brake applied to initiative
BY some Of the governmental and a.
cal regulations. Because Of the pres
sure Of population many Of the young
people have emIgrated during the past
few decades. HHteracy u widespread
The people Of Madeira have many
strains In their blood. Italians, JswA
Moofa, negro slaves, and English have
all contributed elements. but the
Portuguese have always bean incom-
parahy the most important factor.
and the resulting men and women aRs
undeniably dark. swarthy sons and
daughters Of Portugal. Members Of
the upper classes are courtesy itself.
After wine production, Hadeira's
most important Industry" Is its tour
lss traffic. For more than half a CEN
fury the island has been the sun parlor
Of the English, the white officials from
the African colonies, and numerous
Europeans. But to most Of the tour
lists Madeira Is Funchal, the little city
Of 5000 population which nestles,
cleaning white. In a big amphithea-
ter on the south side Of the island and
which has many Of the modern faeiH-
ties which the outside world expects.
Funchafs harhof Is only a roadstead.
but II Is never deserted. for the city
lies at an ocean Crossroads Of the
routes that lead between the Strait Of
Gibraltar and the West Indies and
South America. and between South
Africa and England. And II had In
prewar days lines that piled directly
to England. the Canaries. the Azores
ard Portugal.
The precipitous streets Of Funehal
compelled the use Of sledges instead
Of wheele> vehicles In the early days,
and these quaint and primitive We
hicles are stiil In use. The motive pow.
e. Is usually supplied by oxen and
seme OF the sledges are luxuriousfy
fitted out with elaborate canopies. A
thrill can be gotten from Funchars
primitive vehicles not surpassed by
that from the racing automobile. fos
/, Is customary In descending from
the hills to coast Down over the cob.
b!estones on small sleds with CREASED
runners. One Of the regular excur
sIons for tourists In Funchal. even
though they stay In the island but a
few hours. is trip to an elevation of
1000 feet above the harbor by cog
railroad snd an exciting slide down.
Walkers climbing the hills about the
city regularly arrange to have "livery
sleds" meet them at certain points on
the heights that they may coast back
to the lower levels.
Funehal's cog railroad gives access
to several level roads which wind
about the faces Of the hills back Of
the city affording excellent views Of
the city and roadstead below. Open.
ing upon these and farther up near the
terminus Of the railroad are the show
places Of the city. In some Of these
vilia estates are 10 be found eardsns
Of flowers and shrubs and tres Whose
beauty b probably unoqsvaana1 ~
Vh9o = ehe WogsA