The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-03-22
LETTER FROM EUROPE,
SPEzIA, Italy,

VI euo ehioi citleS III Europe, lS situated on
the right bank of the Tagus, at distance
of 20 kilo. from the mouth, whose width
opposite the town is kilo., and its greatest
width is IL kilo. The city is built on :
hills, thus presenting a magnificent and
extensive vista to the traveller who visits
the town for the first time and admires the
beautiful and diversified of the various
buildings which include the old Arabic
style up to the most modern architec-
tural taste. The town contains 300 streets,
200 lanes, 100 alleys, 10 squares, so small
squares and 4 public gardens Lisbon con-
tains 30 parishes, and altogether there are
about 200 churches, where religious cere-
monies are performed, and some of which
are we'll worthy of visit on account of
their venerable age and magnificent and
architectural beauty. The principal of
which is the See or Cathedral, the oldest
church in Lisbon the origin of which is not
accurately known. This church has been
lately under repairs, which was very much
needed; it is now nearly finished. Here is
deposited the bones Of the patron saint of
Portugal, St. Vincent, and in the church
are maintained and fed two crows, at the
expense of the Municipal Council in COM
memoration of the two crows which is said
accompanied the remains of the martyr on
his journey from Aljavoi to Lisbon. St.
| Vincent de Fora is venerable and hand
some church and was founded by Don AL
fonso Henrigues when he took the town of
Lisbon in 1147, it being subsequently recon-
| structed by Phillip the ii. In this church
there is reserved mortuary chapel for the
Royal family of the Breganza dynasty. The
building adjoining the church was origin
ally occupied by the Augustine Monks,
and is now the residence of the Cardinal
Patriarch of Lisbon. St. Domnes which
is the parish church Of st. Just, is the
largest in Lisbon, and all the chief relig-
ious festivals have taken place here dur
ing the period the Cathedral has been uI-
der going repairs. St. Roche contains the
famous and expensive chapel, dedicated to
St. John the Baptist, whose original cost
was 100000 Refs or $1,1OO,OOO. The
Basalica de Coracao dies Jesus, or which is
better known as the Extelle church: the
building of this church was undertaken by
the orders of Queen Dona Maria l. in COM
pliance of vow, and it contains within its
walls some splendid specimens of varied
and precious marbles. The building is
surrounded by an elegant dome and spire
which overlooks the whole city. The
church is model of st. Peters at Rome.
The Grucid Gruca is large and handsome
church, much frequented by devotees,
chiefly on Friday, who pay their devotions
to much honored image of our Saviour,
under the denomination of Senior dos. Pas
sos. In this church lie the remains of the
celebrated Don Alfonso de Alvaguergus.
The Martyrs is one of the oldest parish
churches: it was also founded by Don
Alfonso Henrigues in memory of and as a
last resting place for the many foreigners
who were killed in the capture of Lisbon
from the Moors in the IL Century. 1t was
subsequently rebuilt to suit more modern
ideas. There are number of other church.
es of antique dates, but it would be tedious
to mention in detail. 1t is sufficient to say
that person must be prejudice or bigoted
to large degree in rambling through the
cities in such countries as Italy, France,
Spain, or Portugal, where the Catholic
priesthood has such hold upon peoples
consciences, certainly of late years much
on the decline) not to note the conjunction
of religion so-called and whoredom, and all
other vices, why it should should be SO is
strange), but yet an established fact, as
witness Naples and every other town on
the European shores of the Mediterranean.
The Atlantic coast is no exception, and
Lisbon full of priests and prostitutes, it
may claim the first place, but would be
sorry, indeed, to rank all in the same cate
CORY, for many, very many, have all the
virtues which have made the teachers Of
Christ great in every country and age. In
regard to pious and beneficient establish
ments, Lisbon has one of the most useful,
it is the Santa Casa de Misirvcordia or
Holy Foudling Hospital in St. Roche
Church. This is the most useful and re-
spectacle of its kind, not only for the end
in view, but for the excellent management
and the results which society in general has
obtained from it. Here is received and
fostered all those unfortunate children
whom their mothers abandon to the care
of society, and also all those who are the
victims of crime, vice. or a demoralized
nature. The numbers maintained by this
institution are 6,436 boys and $3.50 girls:
those numbers include all such as are
placed out under the protection Of families
who becomes responsible for them, receiv-
ing small stipend, and likewise all those
who already earn their own livelihood
The house itself daily maintains 2S4 in
mates. In the Royal Hospital of st. JOS
eph all INDECENT patients are received, and
there are also private rooms for such as can
afford to pay for them and wish to be cared
for in this establishment. In the Hospital Of
Rilafoles, which is in the convent of the
same name, is especially used for lunatics;
all the poor are gratituously taken; there
are also room for them who can pay for at
tendance; the average number of inmates is
265 males and 267 females. Another. Hos
pital especially reserved for Lepeys ST. Lag
erus; it contains at present As men and 10
women; besides those, there are several
others on small scale, but not the less
useful.
The army arsenal is close to the railroad
station. This establishment may be re-
garded in twofold sense, as a military
museum and as an industrial establishment.
1t contains arms of all species, admirable
for quality, size, temper and shapes, and
belonging to all times from the middle to
the present. AS an industrial establish
ment there is seen all sorts of appropriate
works from casting to forging, an evident
proof of the advanced state of metallurgi-
cal work in Portugal, including some well
finished mathematical instruments. On
the west side is the chief gate and we'll
worry to be inspected, St. Georges Castle: