Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-18
PORTUGAL.
Lts6on- VieU from The Tagus-Is population and
weaih-Aanners, &c.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE BALTIMORE pArnIor.

the stranger advances each moment increases his interest
in the presents The dark blue riverone of the
finest this continent-the banks with their dsmantled
forts Struggling villages and quinas to the left the
blue rocks OF Cntra the right of the Arabida noun
taus extending along the far horizon the and Cape
Espche Beem, with its old tower, associated withthe
names Emmanuel the Great and Vasco da CANA and in
years the darksome prison Of the Duke of Ayerro
and the Countess of Tayora the elevated palace of the
Assuda which speaks of Weather days; the hills and
village of Armada rapidly succeed each other until the
city expands fully to the view spreading like ancient
Rome amphitheatre Of seven hills and covering
the intervening valleys.
The whole length Of the city along the banks of the
river cannot be less than eight mileshouses
and villas continually succeeding each other to the bend
of the river The breadth Of the city is extremely ire
gular in many parts exceeding single street From
the extent Of the city be supposed that Its popu
laon very But many Of the houses have
large gardens attached and wide cultivated fields are seen
| even in the centre of the city.
The houses in Lisbon generally lofty and occasion
ally you them six stories high-a fearful
elevation in country where earthquakes are not nncom-
and where still be the dreadful effects OF
the earthquake of the last century The streets in that
part of the city, rebuilt since its destruction in 55
wide and regular, with convenient pavements, and the
squares and public quays formed and embellshed since
that fearful probably surpassed by those Of
any city in the world. The finest and useful
of the city its fountains which supply the in
habtants with water and present fair specimens Of
architecture.
The residents of this city apparently divided into
four grades classes The nobility may be considered
body entirely distinct from the others They not,
comparatively speaking very rich for, though their pa
trmonies large their rents are generally small They
bear the reputation of being religious temperate and
generous Though their houses spacious and dgni
fed with the of palacios," they are in general
gloomy and comfortless, and informed that until
lately very few of them cheered by fire in
winter The clergy here since the suppression of the
ligious establishments, l regretted to learn have lost
much of that high respect and lofty preemnence which
they formerly commanded.
! The merchants are perhaps the wealthest and most
influential class here The principal offices State
held by Them and it is they who figure leaders in the
House Of Delegates The peasantry OF Lisbon and its
virons remarkable for temperance and frugaty but
neither intelligent industrious Both
passonatey fond of gaudy appare even the fruit wo-
men chains and earrings Of considerable value The
common dress of the is large cloth cloak usual
y of brown and white handkerchief pinned under the
chin. That of the men consists OF broad-brimmed
sugarloaf hat Of gaudy coors and breeches open
the knee which they up with large red SASH Over
the left shoulder is thrown the jacket with pendant
tai buttons the bosom of the shirt is often richly
broidered and held together by gilt clasps They usually
boots and carry long straight cudge in the Of
which they very expert 1t with this class of men
here that you daily illustrated the truth of old
MAXIM that pride and poverty are first cousins; for,
rather than submit TO certain mental and aborous
patons, which he considers tit only for Gaego Ia har
dy INDUSTRIOUS and robust of men, who emigrate
here from Galleca,) Portuguese pauper will beg, bor
row, steal.
All classes here are very civil and polite among the
ordinary aborers two acquaintance meet in the
street without interchange Of compliments. Gale
go, dohng his hat will address his friend with Save
DeCs; then follows regular inquiry into the state of
his health and that of his family, and the compliments
regularly renewed parting Whenever stranger
appears in company he instantly sauted by every
present and if they be seated all rise pay him respect
very beautiful and striking feature of Portuguese
is the department Of children towards their parents
Whatever be their age station in life, they always
Lutte the when they first meet in the morning by kiss
ing their hand and asking their blessing After dinner
and at night they renew the testimony Of respect
which omitted in the of strangers
Few Of the Portuguese pass church. cross, sacred
emblem without respectfully salutng it and at the
sound of the Angeus be at morning, noon, and night,
nearly every individual joins the usual short but solemn
memento OF the great mystery Of the redemption:
cave Maria! Blessed he the hour
: The time the cline, the spot where ! so Oft
Have felt that moment in its fullest power
/ Sink Ger the earth beautiful and soft
While swung the deep bell in the distant tower,
Or the faint dying day hymn stole aloft,
And not breath erept thro' the rosy air,
And yet the forest leaves seed stirrd with prayer
They have many customs here which appear to me as
being very singular peculiar method Of attracting
attention. when they wish to call person in the street
this consists IN Kissing noise somewhat like " hish"
"hish, and which ut first is very pulling to stranger
The generally sit horseback with their left side
towards the animals head; poston rides on the left
horse tailor sits at his work like shoemaker a tavern
or drinking shop is known by branch Of laurel and
BARRIERS shop by two three pieces Of green cloth hang
ing at the door The attention of stranger is attracted
as he walks along the principal by the heavy um
am sure would be considered decided improvement
by resuscitated antediluvian. They with a dull
hieess notion and the wheel and axle turn together
The climate Of Lisbon is temperate and salubrous and
am informed that the air in its vicinity is thought very
beneficial to consumptive PATIENTS Of this however,
am rather ncreduous, have frequently experienced
that the hottest days generally followed BY strong
chilling breezes from the Atlantic or the rocks Of Cintra
and such sudden changes the temperature Of the amo
sphere cannot be favorable nyalids Yet there must be
something peculiar in the atmosphere Of this city, is
remarkable fact that though dogs without number bask
the whole summer in the SUM- not single instance Of ny
drophobia has ever been known.
Here they have twilight that sweetest Of the sister
hours-that lowering between light and darkness in
mer mild in winter 50 brilliant at all seasons Of the
year SO ranquillizing to the feelings.
Lisbon numbers about 300 900 Inhabitants yet withits
large and wealthy population il 10 losing that great
merca Importance II once possessed and which its stu
auon It's port and the national products of the country
entue II to hold Various assigned for this
declines but no doubt the blow given to its trade,
ana consequently to its wealth. the separation Of Bra
I'll from the crown Of Portugal The most magnificent
square IN Lisbon is the Praca do Commerce.. The river
bounds the south side Of this square the other sides
formed by uniform ranges Of large and elegant buildings
Which are elevated in front arcadcs pazzas OF
sone and are terminated at the southern exremes by
Two salient wings built also entirely Of stone. In the
centre Of the square is equestrian statue in bronze of
Joseph the First work Of nconsiderable merit IL
stands elegant pedestal between colossal groups
with q basso relieve OF the highest taste and finish.
On the side Of the square is the
and Its dependencies the Exchange, and the Tribunal Of
commerce The Exchange is large and commodous
hail. which entered from the Arcade and is intersect
ed by four rows of handsome marble columns il contains
apartments for various companies and is furnished with
commodious reading-room
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