Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/122

94 WEST AFEICA. till 1680, when the settlers were so terrified by an earthquake followed by eruptions of lava that many took refuge in the neighbouring island of Brava. Other violent igneous disturbances ensued, such as those of 1785 and 1799, when copious lava streams overflowed down to the coast and entirely filled up a valley covered with rich plantations. The smouldering fires continued down to 1816, when the smoke disappeared and the natives were able to extract the sulphur accumulated in the interior of the crater. Underground convulsions were followed by long droughts and famines, through which the population fell from over 16,000 to less than 6,000 in 1834. But such is the fertility of the volcanic soil and the excellence of its produce, that the disasters are soon repaired and fresh plantations rapidly spring up above the old cultivated tracts. At present Togo is the most populous island in the archipelago, next to Sara-Thiago and Santo-Antam, and the white element, mostly from Madeira, is relatively very numerous. Sam-Felippe^ the capital, lies on an open roadstead on the west coast, over against Brava. Brava, or the " Wild," has long ceased to deserve this appellation. Being the healthiest, best-cultivated, and pleasantest member of the whole group, it is often now spoken of as the " paradise of the Cape Yerd archipelago," in contrast to the four "hells" of Saint Vincent, Sal, Bda-Yista and Maio. But for two centuries after the occupation its only inhabitants were some runaway slaves from the other islands, supporting themselves by fishing and grazing. The population was suddenly increased by the disaster of Togo in 1680, and as the land was then distributed in small independent holdings, Brava became the garden of the archipelago. The natives are a cross-breed, distinguished from those of Fogo by their taller stature, fairer complexion, and features that have been compared to those of a goat. They are industrious tillers of the soil, good fishers and daring mariners. The Americans, whose chief fishing station is in Brava, employ many on board their whalers. Furna, the small but well- sheltered port of the island, lies on the east side, opposite Sam-Felippe in Fogo. On the west coast lies the chief town, Sam- Joam Baptista, whither the officials of the other islands often retire to recruit their health. The two islets of Il/ieos Seccos, north of Brava, are uninhabited. Administration. The Cape Yerd archipelago is divided into two administrative districts : the Windward and Leeward Islands, comprising altogether eleven concelhos and twenty-nine freguezias, that is, " parishes " or communes. The concelho is repre- sented by an elective municipal body, the administrador, or mayor, being nominated by the government. A provincial council, to which the municipalities send two members, co-operates with the governor-general of the province, who is also assisted by a chamber of finance and a government council consisting of the chief administrative functionaries. The governor-general, nominated by the Crown,