2-979-574 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Funchal, Madeira, 1857. 'Lying at the very base of the hills, and having a southern aspect, the city stretches itself along the margin of the bay...the houses, rising as they recede from the shore, are brilliantly white. Many of them run up to a great height above their bases, to afford the merchants a lookout over the bay. The governor's residence is a large but plain structure...Of the forts, the largest occupies a commanding position on a height behind the city, overlooking the convent of Santa Clara...Between Brazen Head and Cruz Point, its two extremities, about five miles and a half apart, the line of coast forms an easy curve inwards to the depth of about three-quarters of a mile. The cliffs...are high and of a sombre colour. They look sternly down upon the ocean, and seem to throw glances of defiance on the waves as they rush to their feet and strive to undermine them'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.