enter the Tagus within the destructive range of its guns. It is founded on an elevated projecting rock, and has five irregular bulwarks, with a ravelin towards the land-side. At present, it mounts 86 pieces of artillery, with space for working many more, and is said to be capable of accommodating 3000 men, in bomb-proof quarters. Unfortunately, it has within its circuit no spring of water, and depends for its supply on the rain collected in tanks. Around the coast, at the entry of the Tagus, and on its northern bank, a Portuguese writer enumerates no less than 57 batteries. The chief, beside the two above described, are those of Peniche, Cascaes, Belem, and Lisbon. The banks of the river, from the capital to Fort St Julian, are high or sloping, and, along the whole of the line of road, are studded with towns, villages, and villas.-About a mile from the fort is the town of Oeyras, from which the celebrated marquis of Pombal took his title of count, in which he built a palace, and around which his family possesses extensive property.-A little to the west of the fort is the town of Carcavellos, which is said to produce the wine that goes by that name in London. The soil around is entirely a mass of sand: the quantity of wine, both red and white, made in the neighbourhood, is considerable, and in general of an excellent quality, but it bears no resemblance to the sweet, cloying, treacley beverage which generally passes under that designation in England. Some of the farmers in the village make between 80 and 100 pipes; and one landed proprietor in the neighbourhood used to make 400. It is sold by retail in the cellars at 4 vintins a quart, or about 2d. a bottle. A pipe of the best quality may be bought for £7 or £8 sterling. It has been of late years sold at so low a price, that some of the vineyards have been broken up and sown with corn, for which the soil is by no means adapted. All along the coast towards the ridge of Cintra, the country seems, both from its exposure and the nature of the soil, to be well-adapted for vineyards and orchards, though the land is not so fertile as on the other side of the ridge, where water is more abundant, and the vegetable mould deeper. The ridge itself is about 10 miles from the fort; but it rises so abruptly, and displays so bold an outline, that it appears much nearer, and forms a striking object in the landscape. Its numerous bare sharp summits are distinctly traced,-its towering pinnacles, composed of loose blocks of granite, apparently thrown together at different periods, and carelessly piled on each other, like the tumulus of some giant are seen as if within reach,— and the eye surveys at one glance, leaning against the western sky, the whole rugged outline of the mountain, from its commencement, in the precipitous eminence crowned with the Convento da Penha, till it descends into the sea by the rounder and tamer promontory called by sailors the Rock of Lisbon.-The town of Leiria or Leyria, with 7,000 inhabitants, is beautifully situated in the midst of a narrow valley. It is the see of a bishop. Here is a famous annual fair. In the town there are no less than five or six convents, any one of which, together with its church, would be nearly sufficient to contain the half of the inhabitants.-The convent of Batalha, the finest Gothic structure in Portugal, and perhaps one of the most striking in the world, is distant about two leagues from Leyria.—Alcobaça, about the distance of twelve miles, is the richest monastic establishment now in Portugal, or in the world. The magnificence of its kitchen alone, more than 100 feet long, and traversed by the water of eight fountains, would supply a subject for an ordinary volume of travels. It shelters under its roof, and maintains by its revenues, upwards of 70 fa

:

thers, and about 600 domestics and labourers of all sorts; its domains extend more than twenty miles in one direction, and fifteen in another it includes in the circuit of its sway thirteen market-towns and large villages; it has two sea-ports, and as many fortresses, within its territory; its monks are generally Fidalgos, and these Fidalgos are considered in their corporate capacity more richly endowed than the representatives of the royal family of Portugal. At Maffra, the monastic establishment, which in the time of its founder amounted to more than 300, is now reduced to 42. They are Franciscans have no revenues but a pension from the crown, which they complain is now reduced to 12,000 new crowns, and they possess the range of the royal Tapada or park, which is 12 miles in circumference. Their revenues do not much exceed their allowance.-Berlenga is an island on the coast with a tower, in which a garrison is kept.-Santarem is a town of 8,000 inhabitants.-Setuval contains 12,000 inhabitants.

CHAP. VI.-THE PROVINCE OF BEIRA.

ANTILLON gives the population of Beira at 1,121,595 souls. Hassel gives only 898,596, upon the approximation of 4 individuals to each fireplace, the last census makes it 904,270. This province is mountainous; the mountains are a continuation of the Spanish Sierra de Guadarrama, among which rises the rugged Sierra de Estrella to the height of 7,000 or 8,000 feet above the level of the sea. On the summit is a large plain, 3 leagues long and 1 broad, which is covered with snow from October to January, and contains 4 lakes. The principal river is the Douro; the Tejo only touches the southern boundaries. The coast-rivers are the Mondego and the Vonga. There are several mineral springs and sulphurous hot-baths. The climate is mild in the valleys. Agriculture is quite neglected, and the produce is not sufficient for the homeconsumption. Wine is grown in great quantity, and no province of Portugal produces so much oil.

Chief Towns.] The chief town is Coimbra, the seats of a bishop and of a tribunal of the inquisition. It has about 15,000 inhabitants, a library of 60,000 volumes, and a very good botanical garden. It was the birthplace of the poet Franc. Saa de Miranda. Near to this place, on the Mondego, lies the Quinta de Lagrimas, or house of tears,' where Ines de Castro was imprisoned and murdered.-Aveiro has 7,000 inhabitants. -Lamego is a town of 6,000 inhabitants.—Guarda has 3,535 inhabitants. -Caminha, at the junction of the Douro and Minho, is a fishing-town of 2,500 inhabitants.

CHAP. VII.-THE PROVINCE OF ENTRE DOURO E MINHO.

ANTILLON calculates the population of Minho at 907,965 souls; Barros at 1,123,495; Ebeling at 817,167; the last census states it at 750,820. The inhabitants are very active and industrious, and this province is well protected by natural boundaries from becoming the theatre of war. It lies between the two rivers from which it takes its name, and is a high tableland, through which several ridges of mountains run from N. E. to S. W. The highest chain is the Sierra de Gerez, a continuation of the Cantabrian

mountains; its hills and valleys are covered with vineyards which produce the port-wine. The soil is very fertile, and the climate excellent. The Douro forms the boundaries between this province and Beira; the N. boundary is formed by the Minho. The Lima is a coast-river, and so is the Cavado. There are several mineral springs. This province is considered as the most delightful in the country. "If there is an Elysium upon earth," says a Portuguese poet, "it must be here; and if there is none, there should at least be one here."

Chief Towns.] The chief town is Braga, with 14,000 inhabitants. At a little distance from Braga is the magnificent Sanctuario do Com. Jesus do Monte.-Porto, or Oporto, on the Douro, has about 70,000 inhabitants. It stands upon the side of a hill in a situation naturally strong. The harbour, which is formed by the Douro, is excellent. The appearance of the city is not elegant; the houses are mean, the streets narrow, and even the churches, which in Catholic countries are generally rich if not elegant, are not remarkable. The British merchants have in this place a large and commodious factory. Oporto is a place of considerable trade. From it is brought the wine which is called Port. Besides wine, the chief articles of commerce are oranges, lemons, and other kinds of fruit. To the American colonies this city sends linen-cloth, and various other commodities. Porto existed in the 5th century; but its flourishing state dates only from the 18th. At the village of Lameira are some hot sulphureous springs, and the remains of Roman baths.-Viana, a town of 8,000 inhabitants, has an extensive fishery.

CHAP. VIII.-THE PROVINCE OF TRAS OS MONTES.

ANTILLON states the population of this province at 318,665, and the census at 267,750. This is the most elevated part of the kingdom. The highest chain is the Serra de Montezinho. These mountains are absolutely barren, being only covered with gigantic heath. The principal river is the Douro. There are some mineral springs. The climate is cooler than in any other part of Portugal; on the banks of the Douro it is warmer, but along the rivers there are constant fogs which make the climate unhealthy, particularly to foreigners. The soil is not bad, and is in some parts pretty well cultivated by the industrious population. Wine is the staple ware. There are few cattle; more silk is produced here than in any of the other provinces. The chief town is Braganza, with 4,000 inhabitants, from which the royal family takes its origin. In the neighbourhood are some hot mineral springs, which were known to the Romans under the name of Aqua Fulvia.-Villa-real, a town of 6,000 inhabitants, conducts an animated commerce.

CHAP. IX.-THE PROVINCE OF ALENTEJO.

THIS is the largest province of Portugal, but the least populous. Antillon estimates the population at 380,480; Ebeling according to Soares de Barroas at 339,555 souls; and the last census states it at 289,640. The country is intersected by mountains and hills. The ridges of the N.

The Spanish word Sierra is by the Portuguese spelled Serra.

are a continuation of the Spanish Sierra de Guadaloupe, and the boundaries towards Algarva are formed by a continuation of the Sierra Morena. None of these mountains rises above 4000 feet. The two principal rivers are the Tejo and the Guadiana; there are a great number of others, yet the country is not well-watered. The climate is very hot and dry. -Evora with 9,050 inhabitants is the chief town. Estremoz is famous for its manufacture of earthen pitchers for keeping wine. Beja was the Pax Julia, afterwards Pax Augusta of the Roman.-Near Ourique is the remarkable Campo de Ourique where Alfonso I. conquered the Arabs in 1139.-Elvas with 10,000 inhabitants is a strongly fortified town. There is here a remarkable aqueduct called Areos de Amoreiro, which leads the water into an enormous subterranean cistern under the ramparts of the town.

CHAP. X.-THE PROVINCE OF ALGARVA.

THIS is the smallest of all the Portuguese provinces. Antillon gives the population at 127,615; Hassel thinks it cannot exceed 100,000; but the census has made it 113,600. The surface is mountainous; the mountains belong to the Sierra Morena, but the highest summits rise not above 4000 feet. The only large river is the Guadiana. The climate is mild and healthy, and the heat is softened by sea-breezes. Algarva has the title of a kingdom; it has its name from the Arabs in whose language it means a country lying towards the west; it was much more extensive in ancient times. The chief town is Lagos with 4000 inhabitants; Albufeira has 3000 inhabitants; Faro 8,000. Tavora, sometimes written Tavira, and sometimes Tavila, is situated at the mouth of the Sequa, a small river which falls into the sea between the Strait of Gibraltar and Cape St Vincent. Its harbour, which is defended by a fort, is good. The number of inhabitants is 8,610.

CHAP. XI.-PORTUGUESE ISLANDS AND COLONIES.

THE AZORES.] The Azores are situated in the Atlantic Ocean, between 37° and 40° north latitude, and between 25° and 33° west longitude. They have generally been considered as belonging to Africa, though they are almost equidistant from Europe, Africa, and America. They were first peopled by Europeans, and are nine in number, viz. St Maria, St Michael, Terceira, St George, Gracioso, Fayal, Pico, Flores, Corvo. It has been asserted that no poisonous animal is to be found on these islands; and that even when carried thither they expire in a few hours. Their population may amount to 160,000.

St Maria.] St Maria is the most southern of the Azores. It is fertile in wheat, and other kinds of grain. The number of inhabitants is estimated at 5000.

St Michael.] This island is situated in 37° 47' N. lat. and in 25° 42′ W. long. The produce is wheat and flax, and in these it is very fertile. It is more populous than any other of the Azores, being supposed to contain 25,000 inhabitants. It has two good harbours, Ponta del Gada, which is the capital, and Villa Franca.

Terceira.] Terceira, situated in 38° 45′ N. lat. and 27° 6′ W. long. though not the largest, nor the most populous, is generally considered as the chief of the Azores. Its circumference is about 45 miles; and its

population is said to be about 20,000. It is fertile. The chef town is Angra; and in this place resides the governor of the Azores. It is situated upon the south-east side of the island, and has a harbour which is defended by a fortress. It has a few churches of considerable beauty, with two monasteries, and four nunneries. Angra is the see of a bishop. St George.] This island is situated in 38° 39 N. lat. and in 28° W. long. Like all the islands by which it is surrounded, it is fertile. The population is supposed to amount to 5000.

Gracioso.] Gracioso, in 39° 2′ N. lat. and in 27° 58′ W. long. is of considerable size. Its produce is wheat, butter, and cheese, with a little wine: the number of inhabitants is said to be 3000.

Fayal.] Fayal, situated in 38° 32′ N. lat. and in 28° 41′ W. long. is a considerable island. The chief town, called Villa de Horta, is situated upon a fine harbour, and is supposed to contain 5000 inhabitants. It has many convents. The soil is fertile, and the climate so temperate that fire is not reckoned necessary even in winter. The island is mountainous. In its centre is a volcano; but more than a century has elapsed since it made an eruption. It is liable to earthquakes, one of which greatly hurt the island in 1764. The trees which chiefly abound are the walnut, chesnut, white poplar, and strawberry-tree. Cattle are plentiful, but fowls are not numerous : almost the only kind known being a species of blackbird or thrush with white spots.

Pico.] Pico is a considerable island, both with regard to size and population. It contains in its centre a high pico or mountain resembling the Peak of Teneriffe, from which the island has derived its name. This mountain is estimated by Adamson, at a mile and a half of perpendicular elevation. Pico is said to contain several volcanoes. It is fertile, and annually exports about 5000 pipes of good wine. It is situated in

38° 29′ N. lat. and in 28° 26' W. long.

Flores.] Flores, situated in 39° 34′ N. lat. and in 31° W. long. derives its name from its abundance of flowers. Its produce consists of wheat, pulse, poultry, and cattle. Population, 1400.

Corvo.] As Flores received its name from its flowers, so Corvo received its appellation from the number of crows which were found upon it. This island, the smallest of the Azores, is situated in 39° 42′ N. lat. and in 31o 5′ W. long. It is fertile in wheat, and the inhabitants rear numerous hogs. The population is said to amount to about 600.

COLONIES.] The empire of Brazil in South America being now an independent State, can no longer be classed among the Portuguese colonies. The MADEIRA ISLANDS; viz. Madeira and Porto Santo in the Atlantic Ocean do not belong to Europe.

The CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, 14 in number, the GUINEA ISLANDS, the government of ANGOLA, and MOZAMBIQUE, belong to Africa. In India, Portugal possesses GoA, TIMOR, and MACAO.

Authorities.] Noticia Geogr. del reyno y caminos de Portugal por D. P. Campomanes. Madrid 1762, 4to.-Murphy's Travels in Portugal. Lond. 1795.-Broughton's Letters from Portugal. Lond. 1815.-Reichard's Itinerary of Portugal.-Kinsey's Portugal illustrated. 8vo. Lond. 1828.Faden's Map of Portugal. Lond. 1797.-Balbi, Essai Statistique. 2 vols. Svo. Par. 1822.-Mapa del reyno de Portugal por D. P. Campomanes. Madrid, 2 feuill.