The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-13
wattsa ior DE Istslilssnosr.
Leaves from ny Note Book.
CINTRA-


CINTRA-
EVA. NJ. DE. Z.
Having made up our minds to spend q
few days in cintra, which Is in the neigh.
bourhood Of Lisbon, We left BY omnibus,
early in the morning, arriving In time
for breakfast. It will be an immense
boon to the Lisbon people when the
American trainway is complete to Cintra,
the omnibus Is TOO firing to allow you to
make the return journey the same day.
We rested little alter breakfast. and
then walked out to Moutserrat, Su estate
belonging to Mr.. Cook. The walk was
picturesque 10 the extreme, on one side
moss.coyered walls, and large trees, most
OF them cork, with the bark peeled Of,
leaving the trunks Of 4 peculiar reddish
brown color; on the other hand wide
eIpanse Of ocean, rolling IN its white
crested waves.
Montsesrat va, an old Moorish castle,
ont Of which Mr.. Cook has made = sort
Of miniature ALEXANDRA, filled with
rare sculpture, and Indian cur.
iosities. Although beautiful, the house
had not 90 much attraction for me,
as the grounds, which are ex-
tensivs, and well kept. The collection
Of ferns Il large, and contains many
scarce specimens. 10 retired part Of
the garden, Is a grotto, in which 10 placed
an EIuscan tomb; with reclining figure
on the top, the proportions Of which are
exquisite. Mr.. Cook paid 5000 for il,
at Rome, the almost illegible inscription
gives the date 400 years B. c. How many
thoughts does such an object give rise TO?
Who was he? How many members OF bis
family shed their tears, and poured forth
their lamentations, over that very stone
figure, ON which we were gazing, with
mingled feelings Of curiosity and admir-.
alton.
The next place Of interest to Us was
the Palace, most conspicuous object
from almost any part Of Cintra, and its
immediate vicinity; owing to the peculiar
shape, and immense size OF two chimnies,
belonging 10 the kitchen. They are much
about The came shape a those Of glass.
blowing manufactures, dome termina.
ting In small piece Of straight barrow
chimney. This place was the ALEXANDRA
OF the Moorish Kings, and afterwards
became the favoriIe residence Of the
Christian Mouarchs. Its architecture
forms 3 strange melange Of styles. OF
course most Of the rooms bave tiled
floors, and the walls to the height Of
three feet from the Aoer are likewise
tiled. In the drawing room the floor and
walls are tiled, the latter forming an arch
over each window, oil green, white and
black, diamond.sbaped, highly.glaIed
tiles. The "Sala de las Ress," or the
"Magpie's Saloon, is remarkable apart
ment; the roof is divided into small com.
partments, 10 each Of which Is painted .
magpie, bearing in its beak white rib
bon, on which is the motto "Por Benz"
flor good). Chronicles tell Us that Don
John /. was discovered by his queen,
Philippa Of Lancaster, kissing one Of her
maids OF honor. On being reproAched
by her for this act, his only reply, on the
principle Of " Honi soft qui NAL y pense,'
was "Por benz" 10 order TO salirize the
gossip Of the Court, he gave orders for
the painting Of the "MSgpie Saloon"
From there We passed into the "sala
de las Armss," circular room, on
the roof Of which are painted the
heraldic devices, Of seventy.four Of the
Portuguese noble families, each depend
ing from q stsg's head. Two Of the
shields, those OF the families OF Aveiro,
and Tayora, have been painted out, on
account OF their participation In Pombals
plot. Thence we visited the chapel, en-.
tirely Moorish In architecture and dec
Grafton, the blending Of rather brilliant
colors on the roof and walls being very
harmonious. We saw the room ia which
poor Don Alfonso II was confined for
eight years, the tiled floor Of the small
room 10 all worn away nj one aide from
his constant walking TO and fro. He
died suddenly while hearing mass on
September l2,h, 1868 Another point
Of interest 10 the palace, Is the chamber
in which Don Lebastian held hi. court
seated in large stone m-chair, and
where bis crown Il said 10 have fallen
from his head which was regarded in that
age OF superstition as bad omen.
Strange to say, it proved 80, for having
undertaken war against the Moors he lost
his life and his kingdom was annexed 70
Spain BY Phillip II, in 1880. We did
not forget to inspect the kitchen, the two
large chimneys Of which ! have already
mentioned; they cover the whole i'm
mense room, forming two large domes
more than two hundred feet high, little
aperture at the top Of each serving TO let
out the smoke. And what is still more
strange, these domes form at the same
time the roof Of the kitchen, consequently
there Is fine echo. Twas much pleased
with my yisi. to the Palace, it il so old
and yet go comfortable, capital place to
play At hide and seek In, with its odd
hooks and craunies.
A rival in interest, as relic OF former
grandeur, stands upon lofty hill,
namely, the ruins Of an old Moorish
Castle, and sill higher up, the Palace OF
ex.King Don Fernando, the father Of the
present King Of Portugal, 1t was former.
iy the convent Of "N0ssa Senhora de Ia
PenAn four Lady Of the Rock). II 10 now
simply called ala Pena." 1t Is a
long walk 10 the castle; you zee
the tessalated battlemeuu far above.
We walked through the grounds
Of the Duke Of SaIdanhs, these wound up
the mouuyAin bS a marrow path, 1t banks
covered with blue periWinkles and vel.
low cowslips, almost tempting one TO be-
come child again, and larry 10 make
cowslip bail. We stood some time look.
ing at q tomb, bearing no name, but the
symbols, the crescent and the cross were
sids BIZ side. 10 it are collected all the