The Ordway new era., 1922-03-31


few birds. Through colonization Ma
deira and Porto Santo We're 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, procedure which has
made 1t a wonderland for botanists. OF
primary economic Importance was the
introduction OF sugar-cane from Sicily
Soon n 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 shouldered
sugar from Its place of Importance.
Not a Prosperous People.
In spite of the wonderful climate
and soil of Madeira, Its inhabitants
are not very prosperous. This fact is
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 tis
cal regulations. Because of the pres
sure of population many of the young
people have emigrated during the past
few decades. Illiteracy is widespread.
The people of Madeira have many
strains i'm their blood. Italians. Jews,
Moors, negro slaves, and English have
all contributed elements, but the
Portuguese have always been incom-
parably the most important factor,
and the resulting men and women are
undeniably dark, swarthy sons and
daughters of Portugal. Members of
the upper classes are courtesy itself.
After wine production, Madeiras
most important Industry" is its tour
ist traffic. For more than half CEN
tury 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 25,OOO population which nestles,
cleaning white. In big amphithea-
ter on the south side of the island ana
which has many Of the modern faclli-
ties which the outside world expects.
Funchal's harbor Is only roadstead,
but 1t is never deserted, for the city
lies mt an ocean crossroads OF the
routes that lead between the strait OF
Gibraltar and the West indies ana
South America. and between South
Africa and England. And 1t had In
pre-war days lines that piled directly
to England, the Canar1es. the Azores
and Portugal.
The precipitOus streets of Funchal
compelled the use of sledges instead
of wheeled vehicles In the early days,
and these quaint and primitive We
hicles are still in use. The motive pow
er is usually supplied by oxen ana
some of the sledges are luxuriousiy
fitted out with elaborate canopies. A
thrill can be gotten from FunchaPs
primitive vehicles not surpassed by
that from the racing automobile, TOT
1t Ia customary in descending from
the hills to coast down over the COB
blestones on small sleds with creased
runners. One Of the regular excur-
sions for tourists In Funchal, even
though they stay In the island but
few hours, is trip to an elevation or
1000 feet above the harbor by cog
railroad and 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 oacR
to the lower levels.
Funchal's cog railroad gives access
to several level roads which WIND
about the faces of the hills back OF
the city afrording 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 tnese
villa estates are to be found gardens
Of flowers and shrubs and trees whose
beauty is probably unsurpassed any
where in the world.