MADEIRA enjoyed glowing reports in Berrow's Journal this week two centuries ago though, of course, only a few mariners from Britain would then have been able to contemplate it as a holiday destination!
"The island of Madeira is esteemed a most delightful spot. It is said to have been discovered by an Englishman, Captain Masham in 1344 and was conquered by the Portuguese in 1357.
"Madeira might be deemed the garden of the world. It abounds in every tropical and European fruit and has a magnificent abundance of beautiful trees, shrubs, flowers and grape vines. The greatest hospitality too prevails among the natives."
Madeira - the island whose delights were much praised by Berrow's Journal 200 years ago this week
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