The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-05
LISBON, Jan IL, 1913.

OF Ltsoon-fnteTndfP Oficy OF P0rfugdt-ECects
ofBad Government Commerce griculture--
Habits of the Portugusse-1he Earthquake, &c.
Lisbon, viewed from the river, is one OF the
most beautiful cities Of the world. 1t is built
on the northern bank of the Tagus, on three
gently sloping hills; and its domes, turrets and
roofs, rising in rows above each other, like the
seats in a vast amphitheatre, give it an elegant
and imposing appearance The river, from its
mouth to the city, is of immense width, and can
give shelter and anchorage to the fleets of the
world. Owing TO this advantage the harbor is
splendid, and so formed by it's position that ships
of the largest class can enter or depart without
being towed, for the wind and tide permit either
object. This port was once the crowded mart
of the Brazils aud Indies, and no colonia pro-
duce could be exported but from here. While
this system lasted, Lisbon riyalled London;
But now the scene is changed; her commercial
| greatness Is gone, and the few vessels engaged
In trade can easily be counted:
The climate OF Lisbon s delightful; for months
we have the same clear blue sky, and not pass
Ing cloud dsrkens 1t: gentle breeze Is con.
stanty blowing across the river, and as the city
rises above It, it freely circuates through the
streets. In the evening, the breeze becomes
cooler, and with the rich light Of the setting sun
we admire the beauties of the noble Tagus. Its
banks, however, have not the rich, wild, luxu-
risnt verdure OF those of the Mississippi; but
viewed from Buenos Ayres, there are many spots
of charming beauty the scene is rich, mild and
elegant for it is the land OF the orange, the
| olive and the vine.
In the terrible earthquake of 1855, the part of
the city bordering the river was nearly ell de-
stroyed. Churches, converts and houses were
scattered by its force as chaif before the wind
and the thousands crushed beneath the ruins,
were washed, with the shipping, which parted
| It's anchors, one against the other. Thousands,
| to avoid being crushed by falling buildings, took
| refuge on the quays; but the Tasus rose rapidly
| and with great force-the quays were overturn-
| ed and the thousands on them drowned. The
| populated quarter, and the number said to have
perls shed varies from ten to thirty thousand. No
defnite return has ever been made; but the high
est estimate is not beyond the probability Of
truth. This event occurred on the festival Of All
Saints Day; the churches were thronged; and,
even now, we may dread to allude to the appal
ling shrieks of the victims crushed by the falling
of their massive walls. This part of the city has
siace been rebuilt. The houses are of stone, CO.
lored white or yellow; the mason work is built IN
| wooden frames, so as to give the buildings an
| elasticity to resist future shocks The style is
uniform, and very substantial. All the houses
| have balconies, which are always more or less
occupied by owners, OF jet black eyes, for the
ladies seldom 60 out They spend their time in
keeping atchtul eye on wayfarers. The only
objection to this arrangement is that the dark
eyed ones can see without being seen.
the lower part OF the capital is well paved,
|
house, the exchange. the Ministerial buildings,
and Black Horse square, are situated here In
tersecting these, and running back into the city,
to the theatres, and to the Koco,, beautiful
| the houses In uniform style, and their balconies
always more or less occupied. The rest OF the
city is hiliy and extremely filthy-narrow lanes
nameless odors, and the yelling of miserable
| dogs, and The opportunities OF beggars, almost
scken the stranger. Here begging is trade,
and those having a striking detormity, or a
loathsome disease, have source OF income.
The ahie-bodied heggars, however, are far more
| snnoyng for they solicit with obstinacy that
will not take a refusal, and if youdo not give
you. On The seward suburb of the city
| rise the hills, which, from the delightful
breezes toat constantly prevail! there, are called
| Buenos Ayres. This quarter IS occupied by the
ministers of foreign powers, and their respective
arms are over the entrances to their houses.
How nv thoughts turn homewdrds, for l see
the American eagle, looking bold, proud, and
vigorous as if II knew that us children had con-
| quered on the plains OF Mexlco-those glorious
| victories which have astonished Europe: The
| arms of the United States are over the residence
| of Mr. Rencher. our charge. Every American
who may stray this way, Is sure OF warm wei
| pished lady will make the stranger feel himself
| at home. The children speak tuenty several
languages, and it is amusing to see three little
| creatures discussing In foreign tongue the
means Of getting cake or lump of sugar.
The country, notwithstanding Its natural ad-
| vantsges, is wretchedly poor; the resources and
| finances, owing to wars and revolutions, are In
| the most neglected condition The interest on
| the public debt, the salaries OF public ofhces,
and even the wages of the laborers, are not regu-
larry paid, or when paid, 1t is one-thlrd In de-
| precated bank paper The roads to the interior
| are bad, and transport On them Tor short
distance is more expensive than sending The
| same goods to America. The duties on I'M
ports even Of ne essary articles are enormous,
and soar. and tobacco are monopolies, which
| charge for the most inferior articles, exorbl-
tant prices. But Notwithstanding her present po-
| sition, Portugal has yet the means OF becoming
an influent nation. OF the immense posses
| sons she once had in every part OF the globe,
there yet remains sufficient, if under an able and
1 energetic administration, to give her an lmpor-
tsnt place among maratime powers. Lisbon is
admirably situated for tree port, and the nation
| al wealth might be greatly increased by abolish
| ing the tariff. The country Is ruined by Its re-
| strlctive laws, and the scarcity OF precious me-
tails yearly Increasing, shows that capital must
be taken from the country, instead OF Its produc-
| tons. On both there are export duties. Were
| the tariff abolished, the activity 1t would pro.
duce in many branches OF business, would yield
| more revenue than can be collected under the
| present system. Portugal, however, in com
mercial matters, is centuries behind the age and
is behiod itself, compared with what 1t was three
| centuries ago. Then its king and ministry were
| the most enlightened, and It's hardy mariners
were the first to show to Europe the route to In
dia, and to commercial greatness. The country
has not kept pace with the march OF
| Improvement, and the people seem we'd
| ded to their ancient customs. Here every
thing is done in the most primitive manner, and
| no persuasion or inducement can produce
change. In the country, agriculture is carried
| on with rude, unweldy instruments, and the
consequence is that the soil is not properly ss.
sisted by science or art, its produce IL inferior to
| what might be had under better system. Pro-
prlctors have introduced improved implements,
and have offered rewards tor their use, but the
| peasantry would not work them, or they took the
| first occasion they got to destroy them; not
| from any fear Of reducing their wages, because
| the soil yielding better enabled the land.
to do things as their fathers had done for centu.
| ries before them. These preudces are not con-
fined to the country people. In this city, with