The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-03-29
LETTER FROM EUROPE.
At SEA, January 9th, Is

LETTER FROM EUROPE.
At SEA, January 9th, 1878.
Lisbon. The Municipal Custom House:
1t is an immense building raised on the
ruins of Lisbon after the terrible and al
ways to be remembered earthquake of
1856. 1t is due to the care and foresight of
the great and powerful minister of King
Joseph l., the Marquis of Pomval, that tho
city owes this immense granary where is
slowed abundant grains for the use of the
country and also for expectation. Its sit
uation is well chosen: it has for its limit at
the south the river Tagus, and the high
way that add to the provinces passed the
northern and principal side. The revenue
of this house is very large and returns every
year many thousands Of reis. This revs-
| nue. is important for the exchequer for
every kind of merchandise that enters the
city, except those of the Custom House,
are subject to pay duty that is fixed by
the laws Of the country.
The Palace or Parliament House, is in
the extinct convent of st. Berto. This is
large building but not yet finished, or rath-
er it is undergoing repairs. In its present
state, however, it has all the requirements
of house Of Parliament, which is COM
posed Of a house of Deputies and another
of Peers, and contains all the archives of
State. The Public Record Office is in the
same building. The National Printing
Office in the Travassa do Pomval, close to
the Polytechnic School. 1t is the most
extensive in Portugal: it is Government
institution. The most remarkable public
buildings, are the following in the Praca du
fhn lich
Black Horse Square. All the buildings
which form the eastern, northern and west
ern sides, were built subsequent to 1855,
the year OF the earthquake. On the east
the department OF Worship and the Inter-
ior and Custom House. On the west the
department of War, Finance Public Works
and Foreign Affairs. On the northern side
the Supreme Court, Military, the Canta Of.
Public Credit, the offices and archives of
the Municipal Council of Lisbon, the Roy
al Commercial School, the Army Staff and
Barracks for the principal or hand guards,
who guard the safety of all those several
departments. In the centre of the square
is the equestrian statue of King Joseph the
l. Tins monument is famous as a work of
art and as a memorial of the epoch it COM
memorates. The fourth or southern side
of this square is bound by a parapet, look
ing on and close to the river, from which
two stone quays, the centre one being
called the pillar of quays; the latter is solid
and elegantly built, ending in two pillars
at the end, which gives it the name it bears.
Those and many other public edifices owe
their origin to the energy of the Prime
Minister of King Joseph, the Marquis of
Pomval. On the extreme left of the para
pet is the Custom House garden; on the
extreme right there is a wooden pier or
jettee, used by the Tagus steam Company,
who have daily lines of steamers at fixed
hours to the opposite side of the river to
Cacilhas, Barreiro and Scixal. In front of
the chief quay, on turning to the north,
and after passing the equestrian statue,
there stands tho noble arch which leads
into the Rua Augusta. 1t is still unfinish-
ed and is adorned with minute and SPLEEN
did ornaments in marble. On the north
end of the Rua Augusta is the Rocia or
Prac don Pedro. The second square of
size and Importance, monument is erect
ed to Don Pedro. On the north side of the
square is the Dona Maria End Theatre a
fine edifice, built on the site where once
stood the palace of the lnquisition. 1t was
consumed by fire few years ago IA worthy
end), when serving as the department OF
the Junta Of Public Credit. The three
ings of the same style and class, belong to
shops are occupied by dealers in every
article of apparel and promiscuous goods.
Pelourinhe square is much smaller on its
eastern side is a fine building used by the
Bank of Portugal and the Tobacco Con-
tract. Its south end contains fine build
ing, which commencing on Commercial
square, continues on an unbroken line as
far as Arsenal street. The chief entrance
gate to the Naval Arsenal stands in this
square; in the centre stands beautifully,
elegant pillar, formed of three spiral
threads, all cut out Of one block of white
marble. In the Royal Naval Arsenal is
large yard for naval constructions,
having good ships, one commodious dry
dock, and many large store houses for ma
terial. In the same building is the Naval
School, and an inner room called the Salla
do Risco, used chiefly for Naval students.
Embedded in the floor of this room is q
small model Corvette, fully rugged for exer-
cises of the young midshipmen or naval
cadets. The same building contains the
Supreme Military Tribunal. In the Navy
yard there is a spring of sulphur water,
very similar to that of the caldas water, stu
ated about 80 kilo. from Lisbon and much
used by invalids.
With respect to scientific establishments,
Lisbon is we'll supplied. The Royal Acad-
envy of science being situated in the old con-
| vent Of Jesus. The several courses of lee
lures are held on literature and bellies let
tres. Its library contains so, 600 volumes.
The Polytechnic School in the street of the
| same name: the studies comprise complete
course of mathematics, natural philosophy,
astronomy, botany, mining, mineralogy, po-