Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-04-02

Joaquin Antonio de MacedO, IN his
historical sketch of Lisbon, goes back to
the legends of fable. 1t is stated that
Ulysses, after the destruction of Troy,
, in his wanderings stopped here to repair
his ships and for repose, after contend
| ing with tempestuous weather, and
while here founded the city and called
it Ulyssippi, and built in it temple to
Minerva. Bacchus, too. in his travels,
accompanied by Lusus, "the loved
companion of the god," fingered here
To revel in its elysium. Hence the
name Lusitanium-the ancient. name at
the time OF the Roman occupation.
But leaving fiction aside, and entering
upon more reliable history, the same
writer tells us that Lisbon was reduced
by the Carthagenians, under Hannibal,
and after passing under the control of
the Romans, plundered by the Vandals,
Sucri, Goths and MOors, assisted by a
body of English and Flemish Crusaders
on their way to Palestine, Lisbon en-
tered upon more stable future. To
day, all that can be seen in Lisbon is
modern. The earthquake and fire i'll
1855 destroyed all its ancient structures
and souvenirs of its history and buried
in its ruins 40 900 of its citizens, leaving
as the only relic after that fearful vista
tion that can be seen to-day the ruins of
y church of Gothic architecture founded
in 1889 and completed in 1922. The
harbor is one of the best in Europe.
The city is built on group of steep
hills and deep valleys, and, strange
enough, the modern tramway traverses
the principal streets, Notwithstanding
the unfavorable surface for such con-
structIon, requiring four stout mules
for car of twenty seats. Indeed,
there are no vehicles here with less than
two mules or horses, and sometimes
they have six. The streets are exceed
ingly well paved and clean. The foot
ways or sidewalks in many places are
paved very artistically with different
colored stones. resembling somewhat
the ancient Roman mosaic, The ap-
pearance Of the men does not impress
one favOrably, and the soldiers do not
suggest the hardy followers Of Prince
Alonzo Enrique of CASTLE, one of the
early kings OF Portugal, aud famed for
his proves against the Moors, and, if
/ may be pardoned for want of gallan-
try, the women are not good-looklng.
The houses, many of them, are veneered
with tiles up to the second story OF Va
ried colors and fanciful designs, produ-
cling certainly u novel appearance If
without merit i'll other respects. The
tourist finds little to enjoy i'll Lisbon,
but much in its surroundings. Cintra,
fifteen miles distant, is regarded As all
earthly paradise The well-to-do citl-
Zen hastens to enjoy its delightful
shades when the heat OF summer Invites
him from his city home. A more lovely
retreat cannot be Imagined High
above the city, and in its valleys, teem-
ing with fruits and flowers OF every
cline, are villas of tasteful designs,
nesting in fairy-like places, embowered
in flowers Of sweet perfume and re-
splendent i'll cOlors, and shaded by
stately trees from distant lands. The
trees Of tropical Brazil and Australia
are the most noted. They are rich and
abundant in foliage, with spreading
branches, which, with sparkling foun-
tains, complete a picture of SURPRISING
beauty, and not uncommon In this
charming summer retreat. Near by
is Castle Pena, a strange compound OF
Moorish and Christian architecture,
famed in history. 1t is perched on a
pinnacle of a high mountain overlooking
country and sea for many miles. 1t
was once the stronghold Of the Moor,
who doubtless dreamed when there of
the paradise promised in the Koran to
the faithful followers of the prophet.