I must not leave the Isle of Wood, which has so often
given me hospitality, without expressing a hearty
wish that the Portuguese ‘Government,’
now rhyming with ‘impediment,’ will do
its duty by her. The Canaries and their free
ports, which are different from ’free trade,’
have set the best example; and they have made great
progress while the Madeiras have stood still, or rather
have retrograded. The Funchal custom-house is
a pest; the import charges are so excessive that visitors
never import, and for landing a single parcel the ship
must pay high port-charges where no port exists.
The population is heavily taxed, and would willingly
‘pronounce’ if it could only find a head.
The produce, instead of being spent upon the island,
is transmitted to Lisbon: surely a portion of
it might be diverted from bureaucratic pockets and
converted into an emigration fund. It is sad to
think that a single stroke of the Ministerial pen
would set all right and give new life to the lovely
island, and yet that the pen remains idle.
And a parting word of praise for Madeira. Whatever
the traveller from Europe may think of this quasi-tropical
Tyrol, those homeward-bound from Asia and Africa will
pronounce her a Paradise. They will enjoy good
hotels, comfortable tables d’hote, and
beef that does not resemble horseflesh or unsalted
junk. Nor is there any better place wherein to
rest and recruit after hard service in the tropics.
Moreover, at the end of a month spent in perfect repose
the visitor will look forward with a manner of dismay
to the plunge into excited civilised life.
But Madeira is not ‘played out;’ au
contraire, she is one of those ‘obligatory
points’ for commerce which cannot but prosper
as the world progresses. The increasing traffic
of the West African coast will make men resort to
her for comforts and luxuries, for climate and repose.
And when the Gold Mines shall be worked as they should
be this island may fairly look forward to catch many
a drop of the golden shower.
The following interesting table, given to me by M.
d’Oliveira, clerk of the English Rooms, shows
what movement is already the rule of Funchal.
SUMMARY OF VESSELS ENTERED IN THE PORT FROM JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31.
