Lusitanian sketches of the pen and pencil

Front matter

li.tispiece

LUSITANIAN SKETCHES

OF

Dedication

could I with greater propriety dedicate these slight Sketches of Lusitanian Scenery and Manners ; and I beg your Lordship will accept them as a mark of my respect for those talents and attainments, which add lustre to your noble birth,

Permitting me to subscribe myself

Your Lordship’s obedient Servant,

Preface

These Sketches, I must again observe, vary very much in interest, yet I could not well omit any one of them ; and I beg my readers therefore to pass over such as they find less amusing than they expect, rather than in con¬ sequence to throw the book aside. Some may appear trivial, but a correct painter must attend to minute points.

I have frequently spoken of religious subjects. True religion — belief — I have ever treated with due reverence : falsehood — mockery — imposture, itself conscious of de¬ serving no better designation, with the scorn every honest heart must feel.

The pencil-sketches I either took on the spot myself, or they were done by the companion of my travels, and though not artistical outlines, they are true to nature, and will aid those of the pen.

I intend, at a future period, to illustrate in the same way the southern provinces of Portugal ; thus forming a complete guide through the country. What I have already written will, I hope, afford amusement by the fire-side, as well as being found useful to the traveller.

I must observe that the Peninsula steam-boats now start from Southampton only three times in the month, on the 7th, 17th and 27th, except when either of those days falls on a Sunday, when they wait till the following Monday. They touch at Corunna, Vigo, off Oporto, and Lisbon, occupying about five days to reach the last-mentioned place.

London, September 1845.

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

rAGiS

SKETCH I.

London Society. Pleasant Reminiscences. Embark at South¬ ampton. Comfort of a private Cabin. Lack of Accommo¬ dation for Ladies. Advice to Passengers. Call at Falmouth for Mail-bags. Fellow-passengers. Vigo Bay. The Town of Vigo. Good Roads much needed. Trustworthiness of the Gallegos --...-...-i

SKETCH II.

Quit Vigo Bay. Amusing Incident. The Minho. Portuguese Towns of Caminho, Viana, Villa do Conde. Arrive at Oporto. Appearance of the City. Occasional Difficulty in landing. Fortunate Issue of a dangerous Attempt. The Boats. Custom-house : Advice to Passengers. Deficiency of first-rate Inns - ...-...-ItJ

SKETCH III.

Oporto. Bravery of its Inhabitants. Extent and Population. Appearance from the River. Topographical Ramble. Prin¬ cipal Streets. Suspension Bridge. Fountains. Convent of San Bento das Freiras. Localities of different Trades. Un¬ concernedness of the Shopkeepers. Prapas or Squares. Town Hall. Italian Opera House. Lovely Walk of the Fontainhas.

Fine Situation of the Largo do Torre da Marco. Suburbs of Oporto. The more Ancient portion of the City. Recent Improvements ..•.-...-30

Vlll