Bonaparte, during his first campaign in Italy, took Junot, at the recommendation of his lieutenant-colonel, to be his secretary, in consequence of the goodness of his hand-writing.

"Junot originally was bred to the law, and at the outset of the Revolution, had been employed as a clerk to a pettyfogging attorney near Toulon, till he was forced by the National Assembly to serve in the armies of the republic. He is not esteemed a man of great ability, either as a soldier or politician, though he is famed for his personal courage, many marks of which he bears about his person, having received a variety of wounds.*

"The French army in this country is, most assuredly, a

*It is said, that when Bonaparte first went to Toulon, he desired to have some person well acquainted with the topography of that city, to conduct him over the ramparts. Junot, then a grenadier in a volunteer battalion, was introduced to him, and shewed so much determination and coolness during their walk, while the shot was flying in showers around them, that Bonaparte, struck with his intrepedity, demanded what he could do to serve him. "You may, if you please," answered Junot, "exchange this worsted shoulder-knot for one of silver." His wish was complied with. Bonaparte afterwards desired him to follow him, and share his fortunes. He did so, and was appointed, by Bonaparte, one of his aid-de-camps, in 1796.

Kellermann began his career as a private in the Conflans regiment of hussars.

very fine one; though I am in great hopes that their thirst after vain glory begins to abate, and that the eyes of their officers, as well as of their men, are gradually opening to the discovery that the mad ambition of their chief must one day meet with a check. There are many officers in this army, who have dared loudly to reprobate his conduct, in regard to Spain and Portugal.

"It is a remarkable circumstance, that so many officers who are advanced in years, and who commenced their military career previously to the Revolution, should now serve in the French army, in situations very inferior to those which, from their long and useful services, they have a right to look up to. Laborde was a lieutenantcolonel before the French revolution; and even a general of division during the consulate of Bonaparte. He now retains the same rank he had during the consulate, though many officers have been promoted over his head; and yet, under these mortifying circumstances, he serves the usurper of his country's crown, not only faithfully, but with great distinction, being one of his best officers."

LETTER X.

ROYAL PARK OF MAFRA.-STEEP DEFILE.-MAGNIFICENT APPEARANCE OF THE ROYAL CONVENT OF MAFRA.-LUÑAR MOUNTAINS OF CINTRA. FISHING VILLAGE OF ERYCEIRA.-BRIDGE OF CHILLIEROS. -COMMENCEMENT OF THE GRAND AQUEDUCT OF LISBbon at the VILLAGE OF MONTELAVAR.—CHALYBEATE SPRINGS.—TOWN OF BELLAS. PALACE OF CONDE POMBEIRO.TOMB OF VIRIATUS. —BRITISH CAMP.-ILLUMINATIONS AT BELEM-LISBON.-ELECTION OF THE REGENCY.-FRENCH TROOPS EMBARKING.

Belem, near Lisbon, 19th Sept. 1808.

HAVING Some business at Lisbon, which it was necessary for me in person to transact, I left Torres Vedras at an early hour yesterday, and arrived here late in the evening. I was advised to take the road through Mafra, which, although rather circuitous, is neither so rocky nor mountainous as that by Cabeza de Monte Chica.

After gaining the top of one of the mountains which encircle Torres Vedras, I descended into a fertile valley, containing several pretty villages, surrounded by orchards

and vineyards. Through this the road winds its intricate track, to the head of the valley, where, taking on a sudden a new direction to the right, it conducts to the summit of a mountain, whence I had a charming bird's-eye view of the whole valley through which I had passed.

The road now leads, by a very steep descent, into a deep ravine, the sides of which are cloathed with abundance of wood. To the left, the view is bounded by the royal park of Mafra, covered with lofty cork trees, beneath whose hoary-spreading branches were seen straying several herds of beautiful deer. This park, which is three leagues in extent, is enclosed with a strong wall, about fourteen feet high.

On reaching the bottom of the defile I perceived a small hamlet, whose white church enlivened the solitude of the scene, as the tinkling tones of its humble bell floated along the vale.

I now ascended by one of the steepest and strongest passes I have ever seen. The road is well paved, and flanked by the park-wall before mentioned. At the summit of the mountain I came to a mean village, where I was gratified with a most magnificent prospect. In the foreground stood the village, whence the road wound

K

along by the side of the mountain, at the extremity of which the gigantic pile of Mafra shot its gilded cupolas to the sky; while in the remote distance rose the Alpine crags of the rock of Cintra, mingling with the snowy clouds which hovered on their summit. To the right lay the immense expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, on whose blue and tranquil bosom floated the little fishing boats of the distant village of Eryceira.

I was tempted to sketch the enclosed drawing, which, however, I fear, will convey a very imperfect idea of this sublime landscape.

On reaching Mafra, I did not fail to enter that magnificent tructure-its church, the ascent to which is by a very noble flight of marble steps; but I was so much pressed for time, that I could only take a slight survey of the interior of it, trusting to a future opportunity of examining it minutely.

From Mafra I rode over a bleak rugged country for some miles, till I reached a village called Chillieros, sweetly seated on the banks of a stream called Carvosiera, over which there is a handsome lofty bridge. Several of the orchards here contain abundance of oranges; and the shining verdure of their leaves, studded with golden fruit,