iron stanchions, and covered on each side by a cloth flung over the pole, to serve as a curtain.  In this I was placed, in a half sitting, half recumbent posture, which I need scarcely observe was not very agreeable.  When I got out to call at a gentleman’s house, before I reached my ultimate destination, I found that the cramp in the calves of my legs had so disabled me, that I could scarcely stand, and it was a considerable time before I could walk unaided and free from pain.  I anticipated every moment that my bearers would have complained of the road, which was badly paved, and very steep the greatest part of the way; but they were fine, hardy, muscular men, and quite indifferent to a toil with which habit had rendered them familiar.  Each bearer carries a long stick in his hand, which assists to support and steady him, over the uneven ground.

On arriving at Mr. Webster Gordon’s, I was agreeably surprised to find that I had been previously acquainted with Mrs. Gordon and her mother in Italy.

The population of the town of Funchal is said to be about 25,000; and that of the whole island, including Funchal, 120,000.

Invalids have, latterly, more facilities for obtaining lodgings than they had in former years, the inhabitants finding it their interest to direct their attention more to that particular.  The resident British may be estimated at about 250, including children; and since my return to England, I have been informed, that, during this last year, there were upwards of 100 invalid visitors from America.

I passed the short time the ship remained very pleasantly, and I could have wished that it had been longer; not only on account of the salubrity of the climate, but for the advantage of being enabled to collect more information.  Some of the officers went to the Coural, a celebrated part of the island for extensive and beautiful scenery.  In the afternoon of Tuesday, August 14th, we embarked, and sailed out of Funchal Bay on the same evening, directing our course for Teneriffe.  Our consort the Diadem, transport, had left the bay a few hours before.  From Funchal, Madeira, to Santa Cruz, Teneriffe, the course is S. 6 deg.  E.; distance 252 miles.

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[1] Madeira received its name in consequence of being covered with
wood; the word “madeira” in the Portuguese signifying timber.

[2] The vine of Italy was originally introduced to the mountain, of Tokay, in the fourteenth century, by Louis I. of France.

[3] In the mountains of the Caraccas the potatoe grows wild, and in great abundance; but as they are left unnoted, they are usually not much larger than the ordinary gooseberry.—­See Humboldt.

CHAP.  II.

Teneriffe—­Town of Santa Cruz—­Female Costume—­Incident at a Ball—­Bad Roads—­Climate—­Productions—­Population of the Canary Islands—­Imports and Exports—­Various Qualities of the Wines—­Fishery—­Leave Santa Cruz—­Crossing the Tropic of Cancer—­Shaving and Ducking—­General Remarks—­Make St. Jago—­Anchor at Porto Praya—­Sickly Season—­Death of the Consul and his Wife—­Consul’s Sister—­Governor’s Garden and Watering-place—­Population of the Island—­Produce—­The Orchilla Weed, its growth, uses, and varieties—­Cause of Fever—­Departure for Sierra Leone