Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0297Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of two ox leashed to a sledge, a village is seen in the background. Above the image "T465 (Star)" is printed, below the image "17076T Ox Team and Sledge, the Only Kind of Carriage Used in Funchal, Madeira Islands." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company COPYRIGHTED Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
17076
OXTEAM AND SLEDGE, FUNCHAL, MADEIRA ISLANDS
As our ship approaches the Madeira Islands in the Atlantic ocean, 550 miles southwest of Lisbon, we obtain a charming view of Funchal, the principal city, nestling at the base of pine-clad mountains. The commodious harbor, the broad, curving beach, the blue, pink and cream-colored stucco houses, the background of mountain peaks, are grateful to the eye after days at sea.
These quaint sledges, hung with curtains to shut out the glare of the sun, will be at the pier to meet us. But our anticipations of a pleasant ride are soon shattered, for the streets are paved with round stones gathered form the sea, and rough spots occur every few yards. Over these the driver spreads a greasy piece of burlap, and as the iron runner of the sled glies over it we are thrown against our neighbor. The sled clatters noisily over the stones, the driver prods his bullocks with a nail-tipped staff, and smll boys shout shrilly as they run ahead. These physical discomforts are disregared, however, in observing the novel sights on every had ; the coffee bowers along the waterfront, the little wind shops, the sandaled porters, the priests in their vestments, the hordes of ragged beggars.
The island of Madeira is 30 miles in length and about 13 in width, with a population of 175,000 of whom about a third live in Funchal. The peasants live in appalling poverty, usually in one-room shacks with thatched roof and bare floor, often sharing their quarters with pigs and chickens. From midday until four o'clock all share in the common siesta, waking to life again when the sun sinks behind the hills.
Copyrigh by The Keystone View CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection