Page:A Voyage to Surat in the Year 1689.djvu/22

6 Some say Madeira was discover’d by the Portuguese, in Anno 1429. and deriv’d its Name from the abundance of Wood that grew there. It was overspread with Wilderness and plenty of Trees, (which gave it this Name,) as with one intire Wood; the tedious thoughts of cutting down which, perswaded them to a more speedy Method of destroying it by fire. After it was kindled, the Flames grew to such a head, raged so violently, and by degrees became so furious, that the Peopie were forc’d for their Ease and Preservation, to betake themselves to the water, to avoid the violence of the heat.

The remaining Ashes contributed so much to the Fertility of the Ground, that it at first produced sixty for one, the fruitful Vines brought forth more Grapes than Leaves, Clusters of two or three spans length; and in all its Products, their Beauty and Fertility were so remarkable, that it gain’d the Title of the Queen of Islands.

The Air here, to which the Pleasure as well, as Health of Humane Life is so much owing, is generally very Rh