The times., 1899-11-26

French and Gascons. whose turn came in
999; and others Of rollicking King John
and the later and gentler Pedros.
There used TO be an incredible number
Of converts in Oporto, but they were most
~ destroyed during the memorable siege
Of 1917 which nearly annihilated the city
and wiped out third of its population
and others have more recently been appro-
priated by the Government TO secular uses.
On the high bluiis OF the east bank Of the
Doupo stands the famous convent Da Sierra,
which at one time was said to be the rich
est in the world.
The monastery of Sac Bento, beautiful
beyond compare, with its wealth of cary
ing, quaint arches. and Observation-Disclosures
courts, was converted into barracks a few
years ago, and now horses MUNICH scant ra-
tions in the cloisteTs where monks mum
bled their ave marias. while undeszed,
underfed Portuguese soldiers play cards in
the long refectory and complain at their
hard lot Of hunger and inactivity.
One of the handsomest structures in
OpOrto is the ArchbishOp's palace, situated
on a jutting rock so high in air that it re-
minds you Of Mohammed's coffin, suspended
/ between earth and heaven, and you marvel
that il has not dropped of long ago, upon
the house-tops directly beneath. Ameri-
cans are not in high favor with his wor-
, shipful highness just at present, and il is
useless to try 10 obtain an audience, but
you may be graciously permitted to view
( the grand Stairway famous work of art
which stands about third in the stairways
Of the world, reckoning that OF the new
! Congressional Library OF Washington at
the head-wh.ch leads 10 the Archiepiscopal
apartments.
/ Next in point OF beauty, IL not of cost
! iiness, is the English Factory House. Of
white granite, with elaborately wrought
( facade. II comprises on a magnificent
I scale all the appurtenances OF an up-to-
] date club house, with ballroom, refresh
/ ment hall library, reading rooms card
/ rooms. etc. and here the large but lone
/ some English colony spends its leisure
hours.
The new sbolsa. or exchange, once
the monastery OF Sac Francisco, is one OF
( the most beautifully decorated structures
in Portugal The walls and floors of its
grand salon are entirely covered with in
laid devices. in the rarest woods Of Brazil,
/ highly polished, but in their natural col
/ ors-pale greens. dark reds, rose pink,
browns. greys, ivory white. and ebony
curiously intermingled. There are suites
OF lofty apartments. all elaborately deco
rated. a splendid glass covered court, SET
with palms and a magnificent reception
room wherein the president of the bolsa
with the dignitaries Of the city, are wont
to welcome distinguished strangers ant
now and then give fetes to the beauty anc
chivalry OF Oporto.
The mint should be visited, where The
curious Portuguese coins are stamped
also the art gallery; the public library
with its $4,000 volumes. in all languages
living and dead, but English; and the grea
opera house, with its tier above tier o
shabby boxes. Some Of the boxes ar,
equipped with black curtains, In which ar,
peep holes, for the accommodation o
mourners in the depths of grief. who
according TO local etiquette. may not in
dulge in any social advertisement for tn
space OF one year from the date OF be
reavment. at which time they give a bal
TO celebrate the lifting of the cloud 0
1 woe.
The medical college, Academy Of Nayi
cation and Science, several other seien
tifc and literary institutions. and a dozeI
banks and club houses. and daily news
paper Offices. al! are worth a visit. No
. should the vast Da Miseracordia Huspita
be forgotten, nor three or four other asy
lums for the sick, INDECENT, and afflicted
, Among the latter is the Foandllngs' Home