We lit right out for Madeira, and after a pleasant but uneventful
voyage cast anchor in the harbor of Funchal, the capital, in less than
nine days.
The Madeira Islands are owned by Portugal, but the natives all wish
they were not and are most anxious to get under Uncle Sam's wing, _à
la_ Porto Rico. The islands are of volcanic origin and some of the
mountain peaks are over six thousand feet high. The climate is
delightful and the variation in temperature is not much over thirty
degrees. Semi-tropical vegetation and flowers abound everywhere, and
the place is beautifully clad with verdure. The natives have "that
tired feeling," and do just as little work as will earn them a scanty
living. They, however, blame this condition on the Government.
The group was at one time celebrated for its wines, but a blight came
on the vines and the business of wine-making is greatly reduced;
besides, Madeira wine has gone out of fashion of late years.