DISTANT VIEW OF MAFRA,

and the Mountains of Cintra?

Published June 15.1809, by Richard Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London.

relieved the eye, fatigued by the scorching reflection of the rocks.

Leaving the "lunar mountains of Cintra" to the right, I came to a small village called Montelavar, situated amid barren limestone hills, where are the first arches of the grand acqueduct of Lisbon. Here several streams of the purest water gush from the “ living rock," and are collected into a large marble reservoir by the side of the road. The children of the village officiate as the naïads of the fountain, and offer the cooling beverage to the thirsty traveller.

Passing a romantic water-mill, and some chalybeate springs, which are enclosed, to prevent any improper use being made of them by females when pregnant, at the distance of a league from Monte Cavar, I entered the market town of Bellas; where there is a good inn, and a palace, belonging to the Conde de Pombiero, with a garden laid out in parterres, according to the old French style, and shaded with lofty trees.

As you are fond of antiquities, I must not omit telling you, that in the reign of king John III. the tomb of the celebrated Viriatus was accidentally discovered in this neighbourhood. It was a stone chest, with an inscription it-" Hic jacet Viriatus Lusiutanus Dux." Strange to

upon

say, not a man in Portugal was then to be found who had taste sufficient to induce him to become a purchaser of this remarkable monument. It was given to a gentleman of Madeira, who carried it to that island, where it was lost.

The road near Bellas passed under some arches of the great aqueduct, close to which a part of our army lay encamped. I then reached some heights, from whence I descried the bold shores of the Tagus; and entered Belem, as the setting sun sunk behind the rock of Lisbon.

As I passed along, I found the streets of Belem crowded with persons of all ranks, who seemed to be enjoying the refreshing breezes of an autumnal evening; while the blaze of illuminations, and the discharges of rockets, displayed by the Portuguese, seemed expressive of the happiness they felt in the prospect of being delivered from the thraldom of their Gallic oppressors.

This morning I reached Lisbon. The towers of the churches are decorated with flags, and the streets crowded with the carriages of the noblesse. They are assembled to deliberate on the election of a new Regency, after having attended the celebration of high mass at the episcopal church. All ranks appear in high glee, and very civilly salute the British officers as they pass along.

The great quay at Belem was crowded as I passed with the French troops, who were embarking in the boats to get aboard the transports; while the Portuguese were grinning at their departure. Our sailors were acting the part of masters of the ceremonies, which they performed most ludicrously.

I mean to send this home by the mail going to England in the Plover sloop of war, in which Sir Arthur Wellesley returns. Major-General Ferguson will accompany him. I am sorry to hear that indisposition is the cause which induces the latter to leave us.

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