t is, above the general
height of the vineyards, the walnut and chesnut grow most luxuriantly,
and are both ornamental and useful. The chesnuts are so plentiful
that, in the fruit season, they form a considerable article of food
amongst the lower orders of the people. The fine old forest trees, the
original occupiers of the soil, are disappearing rapidly, even from
the deepest ravines; in situations easy of access they have been long
since destroyed by the lawless and thoughtless despoiler.

I must not omit some reference to the vegetables of Madeira, and in
particular the potatoe, which grows as fine here as in any part of the
world. The cultivation of this edible has of late so much increased,
as in some districts to constitute the chief food of the natives. The
apparently unfavourable situation on which it is principally planted,
affords a convincing proof of the superiority, in habits of active
industry, of the peasantry of this island over the Portuguese peasants
in general. Instead of being indolent and supine, and indisposed to
embrace the means of ameliorating and improving their condition, they
are, on the contrary, enterprising, hardy, and persevering. The
potatoe is chiefly reared on the ascent of Pico Rueva, at an elevation
of 6,000 feet above the level of the sea, and many of the beds are
within 300 feet of the summit.[3] The ground above a certain height
belongs to Government, and the people have only a trifling tax to pay
for any portion that they choose to cultivate. Onions, pumpkins,
melons, cucumbers, &c. &c. are in the greatest abundance. Beef,
mutton, and poultry, of good quality, are to be obtained at moderate
prices, and fish in the greatest abundance.

Madeira may be said to be in general very healthy; but in the autumn
diarrhoea is a common complaint amongst the lower orders, caused by
eating bad and unripe fruits, and drinking the washings of the
wine-press, a beverage made by throwing water on the husks of the
grapes, after the operation of pressing out the wine has been
performed, and then submitting them to a second pressure.

It is not an infrequent occurrence, that parts of the crews of ships
that touch at the Island, suffer from eating unripe fruits, which are
often incautiously allowed to be brought on board, particularly the
peaches, which the commanding officers of vessels would do well to
prohibit by every means in their power. The Portuguese boats are
always ready to bring off grea