engraving and text extracted from
History of Madeira - 1821 (from my library)
Madeira was then under British domination
To draw pipes of wine on a sledge
This is the usual way of transporting wine from one part of the town to the other. The coopers of Funchal are known to be excellent workmen, and the pipes made are very much admired for their perfect construction.
The oxen employed on the occasion, which are natives of the island, are a very beautiful race of animals, and highly useful, both for their strength and tractable character.
But this is not all : when they are become too old to be employed in labour, they are fattened and killed, and the meat is excellent.
The quantity of cattle bred in the country is very great. Even ships are supplied with large quantities of beef by the island, and the home consumption is very considerable. Nor is it dear, seldom exceeding a Bit per pound, which is about five-pence English currency.
In times of old, when records give
The ways in which man used to live,
We know what strength sustained the yoke ;
What patient power the furrow broke ;
Who aided the laborious plan
Of patriarchal husbandman.
Then, with sturdy, patient mien,
To share the toil, the ox is seen.
He work'd the plough, and, from the plain,
Drew off the weight of yellow grain ;
Nor was he muzzled when he trod
The corn that formed his heavy load.
Nay, since, through every age that's gone,
He is for useful labour known :
But even labour may refine,
For corn is here exchanged for wine ;
And now it is the oxen's task,
To drag along the liquid cask,
Filled with the juice that aids the treat
When they 're cut up, and turned to meat.
Costumes:
Two oxen, two attendants and a huge wine barrel not strapped to the wooden sled. This appears to be a thick wooden plank, with no apparent runners.
The costumes of the two handlers are classic, the one holding the barrel is wearing a striped shirt, a little more 'dressy' than the usual white one. The second figure is the driver of the carriage, with his ox-pick or whip (detail not discernible).
