The wages of a laborer are twenty to twenty-four cents a day, and those of a good mechanic about twice as much.

They count it in reis at a thousand to the dollar, and this makes them rich and contented.

Fine grapes used to grow in the islands, and an excellent wine was made and exported.

But a disease killed all the vines fifteen years ago, and since that time no wine has been made.

The islands being wholly of volcanic origin, the soil is necessarily very rich.