Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-10-28
MISCELLANEOUS.

Appalling DuIIMcss-l.ifc In Portugal.
Mr.. ]. I.stouche has been travelling through
Portugal Oh horseback, and by OUT OF the way
routes, and has given the world very interest
ing record Of what he saw. His account Of the
lives Of well-to-do folks in Portuguese country
towns is sbsoutely appalling for the idea of
prodigious dnllness it conveys;
The larger Of the county towns have streets
full Of gentlemen's houses ; and hero vegetate,
from year to year, families who are Just rich
enough to live without working. To live, indeed
as the Portuguese d. in snch towns, need cost
but little. A large house, with plot Of cab.
bage, kale yard, behind ii with whitewAshed
walls, floor uucarpeted q dozen wooden chairs,
one or two deal tables no fireplace not even
stove, either in sitting or bed room no curtains
to the windows. no covers to the tsses no pic
lures on the walls no mirrors no tables
pleasantly strewn with books, mag
azines, newspapers and ladies'
work no such thing vinbe as pot OF cut
flowers no rare china, no clocks, no bronzes-
none Of the hundred trifies and cnrio-ities with
which, in our houses, We show our taste or our
want Of it, but which either way give such AL
individual character and charm to English
homes. All these negatives describe the utterly
dreary habitations OF the middle class Portu-
guese. FOR occupations the women do needle
work, gossip. 20 TO mass daily. And look out OF
the window by the hour. Except the one short
walk to the church at 8 oclock in the morning,
Portuguese lady hardly ever appears in the
streets. As to the men they lounge about
among the shops; they smoke innumerable
paper cigarettes they take ''siesta" in the
heat Of the day. II there is any sunshine they
stand ip groups at the street corners, with um-
brellas over their heads in Winter they wear
. shawl over their shoulders, folded and put
on three corner wise, as French or English
womAn's shawl is worn--for this ia q fashion in
Portugal, and the Spaniards laugh good deal
at their neighbors on the score OF their being
nation WHO inyeIt the due order Of things.
| In these towns there is never any news, and IL
| two men are seen in eager discussion OF some
matter Of apparently immense Importance, and
| IL one happens to be near enough to overhear
4 tho subject OF conversation be sure that one OF
| them is plunged in despair or kindiing with
| enthusiasm ut IA rise or fall OF a half-penny in
the price OF pound Of tobacco. There are not
even fashions for them to think about young
men aud old men dress alike, but the younger
men wear exceedingly tight boots, and when
they "take their walks abroad - it is obvious
| that thev do 30 IN considerable discomfort
| The Young men, however. have one occupation
more important even than wearing tight boots
| that Of making the very mildest form OF love
| known among men. The process, indeed, is
| carried on in no patonic manner and with 70
much proper feeling that doubt II even the
stricteAt English governess would find snything
to object. The young gentlemen pay Their ad-
dresses by simply standing in front OF the
houses occupied by the objects Of their sf-
fections. while the younger persons in ques-
ton look down Rpprovingly from the upper
windows, and there the matter ends.