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city itself: but there is a narrow band of basalt in the neighbourhood. Lisbon stands on a foundation of calcareous earth. Our traveller, thinks, therefore, that the cause of the earthquakes, by which this city has been afflicted, is below the layers of this kind of stone; and it is remarkable, that, the warm baths, which are more numerous in this country than in any other of Europe, issue from beds of granite; which, as is well known, composes the primitive mountains. The fire which heats these sources, must either reside in the granite, or below it. What dreadful and extensive devastations, then, may it be expected to produce, when those explosions take place, to which it is occasionally liable!

The city of Elvas, the strongest fortification in the kingdom, which has often been blockaded, but never has been taken, distinguishes the province of Alentajo. The garrison of this city is composed of five regi

ments.

M. L. has some interesting observations on the Tunny fishery, and on the caprification of fig-trees, in the province of Algaroas.

The general configuration of Portugal is mountainous: but excepting the Estrella, which our traveller supposes may be seven or eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, the mountains owe their apparent height to the level of the country around them; and the wildness of their aspect may be attributed to their needle-like asperities.

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The agriculture of Portugal is not generally bad: but M. L. admits that the skill employed in it is but small. He says, that, except around Lisbon, the country grows sufficient corn for its inhabitants: the vallies of Entre Minho e Douro are extremely well cultivated: Tra los Montes is covered with fields of corn to the very summits of the mountains maize and pulse are produced in considerable quantities in the province of Beira, near Coimbra. When the farmer is also proprietor of the land, he is in good circumstances; but the great estates of the nobility, and of the convents, are farmed at such high rates, and the commerce of the interior is to limited, that the tenant cannot pay his rent without difficulty. To this must be added, the burdensome imposts on the very necessaries of life; and the dearness of food and clothing, in a country which imports almost all the gold that circulates in Europe. Nor is this the only inconvenience which Portugal suffers from its colonies: they deprive her of that laborious population, which is the real and muchwanted strength of her provinces at home. The population of Portugal not being numerous, the countrymen assist each other in harvesting the corn. Irrigation, where practicable, is continued for three or four years together; by which means, observes M. L. a soil naturally barren, is forced to become productive. He thinks, too, that the bad construction of the plough used by the Portuguese, is a principal reason of the little produce of their land. It rather scratches than delves the soil, and in a surface of sixteen inches, leaves ten or twelve untouched. It is true, they bestow four such ploughings; and also four harrowings, with harrows whose points are of wood only; but, they use no compost or mannre, thinking it useless and they employ the plough on their strong lands only; for light lands are laboured with the hoe.

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In the northern provinces, wheat is the chief produce; in the southern maize. This latter crop, by its seductive advantages, in point of produce, has really injured agriculture. Formerly, corn was sown on the hills; and the plains were kept in pasture; then Portugal exported corn,

its villages were populous, and its cattle abundant. Now, the hills are fallow; maize usurps the plains, and the want of fodder and support for cattle has caused a sensible decrease in their number. It has, also, almost banished other grain: the different kinds of millet are become very rare; barley is scarce; oats are disregarded; rye is grown for feeding cattle only. These defects are of late somewhat counteracted by the culture of the potatoe; which root begins to be esteemed.

Mines of Iron are rare in Portugal. A lead mine gave 92lbs. of lead, and above 20%, of silver. Coal-mines there are, but they cannot bedrained of water. The salt-marshes furnish great plenty of salt.

The manufacture of gun-flints is one of the least remarkable, yet of the greatest importance to this kingdom. They are found detached, in stones, in a reddish sand, at Axenheira, in Estremadura. Much practice and skill is necessary in squaring them. Formerly Government bought the whole of them; and it still has the pre-emption: but it pays only two mille rees per thousand; while strangers readily pay three or four.

An Englishman, named Stephens, has established a glass-housa at Marinha, in the province of Beira, It meets with success, under Royal patronage. The sand used in making the glass, is found in the vicinity. Soda is brought from Alicant: pot-ash from South America: tartar from Oporto. Wood is supplied gratis from an extensive forest of pines, which is at no great distance. The glass, however, is not equal to some kinds that are imported.

The roads of this kingdom are in wretched condition. Wheel-carriages are scarcely ever seen upon them: merchandize is carried from place to place on the backs of mules: men travel on mules; and women travel in chairs carried by horses. A single navigable canal is all that Portugal can boast. The police, however, on the roads is vigilant. Travellers journey in safety, except on the frontiers.

The national police is administered by two classes of magistrates. The first is the Juiges de fora, "justices from other parts;" who are sent into the smaller towns, and are settled, during three years, at a distance from their native places, and connections; in order to preclude influence and partiality. After having exercised their office in various places, and on minor matters, they are promoted to be Corregidors; of which, in the principal cities there are two; one for civil, the other for criminal affairs.

The second class of provincial magistrates consists of Juiges de terra; which are elected by the inhabitants of the smaller towns, or remote villages, from among themselves; and are confirmed by the government. These decide only in the first instance; and are much less learned than proud.

The Corregidors have great power; they judge in the second instance; can reverse the decisions of the Juiges de fora, and even imprison their authors. They ought yearly to make a progress throughout their jurisdiction, or Corregimento. They are the best-informed men of their class; the most free from local attachments: but in endeavouring to recommend themselves to their superiors in the government, they become excellent engines for purposes of despotism.

The Portuguese are fond of law-suits. There are two tribunals of appeal in Portugal; one for the three northern provinces, the other for the three southern. There are also three for the colonies.

The

The most important public establishment, and that in which M. L. thinks, resides the effective sovereignty of the country, is the Meza do desembargo do paco, or "the board of the affairs of the palace." This board nominates to the vacant places of judges in the ancient districts, and in the colonies; also, the assessors of the two supreme tribunals = it adjusts their differences; decides the opposing pretensions of the temporal and spiritual jurisdictions; explains ancient laws; proposes new regulations; and, in short, conducts the most important concerns of

the state.

The number of lawyers is very great in Portugal; the inference is, says M. L. that justice is badly administered in this kingdom.

The writers Escrivaes of justice are a numerous body, of which strangers will do well to be cautious. They are ignorant of equity; acquainted with the forms of the courts, but not with the spirit of justice;, and they consider the stranger, and the ignorant, as their proper prey. They go two together; one puts interrogatories; the other carries a naked sword under his cloke.

M. L. describes the natives of this kingdom, as being in general smallof stature, of darker complexions than is common in the northern parts of Europe; and having mostly black eyes. Persons of distinction rather incline to fatness. He denies absolutely any conformity of features to the Negro and speaks more favourably of the women of this country than many travellers do.

M. L. endeavours to defend the Portuguese from the accusation (with which they are charged especially by the English) of never reconciling quarrels, and of revenging themselves by assassination. This disposition he very calmly terms "a defect in their character." To palliate atrocities is to supersede repentance: and without repentance from what principle can we expect reformation?

We hope, however, that M. L. is in the right, when he vindicates the natives of Portugal from the imputation of indolence, which others say is natural to them. An indolent people, he observes, do not penetrate into distant countries, as the Portuguese do into the interior of Africa, of the East Indies, and of Brazil. Neither will it be thought that indolence is the character of the individual, by any one, who having hired a mule for a day, regards the master who runs by the side of it. Where there is no occupation by which industry may profit, idleness is rather to be pitied than reproached.

M. Linck finishes the portrait of this people by attributing to them, levity, vivacity, loquacity, and politeness.

The information he has supplied in this article may be considered as a supplement to that furnished by M. Ruders. Vide E. R. vol. I. pp. 80. 154.

Art. XXII. SWEDISH LITERATURE. THE following works, among others, have been this year published in Sweden: Samlingar i Bergs Uetenkapen, or Collections in the Science of Practical Mineralogy, by C. T. Svedenstjerna and C. J. Lidbeck, No. 1. The authors of this useful work are both mine-masters in different districts, and are known as men of great abilities. M. Sve deustjerna, in his tour through Europe, spent a considerable time at

Paris, where his chemical skill acquired him the acquaintance and inti macy of the most eminent professors of that science. Afterwards (two years ago) he came over to England, and visited our mines, and on his return home, published his tour in this country, with which we hope, in our next number, to make the public acquainted. The number before us contains a Treatise on Practical Mineralogy by way of introduction. It next treats on the art of opening mines; it further states the influence of manganese (brunsten, magnesia mineralis) on cast-iron, by which its conversion into steel is sooner effected. It ends with a description of the iron works at Arign, Ireland.

A Latin translation of the Psalms of David, with critical and philosophical notes, by N. M. Berlin, M. A. Assistant and Professor (Adjunctus) in moral philosophy at the university of Upsal.

J. P. WESTRING, M. D. the worthy disciple of the great Linnæus, so well known by his numerous essays and discoveries in natural history, successively inserted in the Transactions of the Society of Arts and Sciences at Stockholm, has now begun to publish a periodical work of great interest and utility, viz. Svenska Lafvarnas farghistoria, or on the manner of applying Swedish mosses (lichens) in dying and other œconomical purposes. * Three numbers of this valuable publication, with coloured engravings, have already appeared, and we shall take an early opportunity of making it better known to our readers.

Biblioteca Historica Svio Gothica by Mr. Warmholtz, Part 11th, containing such books and writings as relate to the History of the Kingdom of Sweden during the reigns of FREDERIC, and ADOLPHUS FREDERIC, the grand-father of the present king.

Samling of Skrifter i aldre Litteraturen, A collection of writings, relating to Ancient Literature. This entertaining work, contains, among others, the following subjects: Select Passages from Elian; Observations on the Greek Language, recommending an easier method of acquiring it; A collection of Swedish Words, derived from the Greek; some Letters between the Emperor Trajan and Pliny the younger, concerning the Persecutions of the Christians, &c. &c.

* See the above Transactions for the years 1793, p. 113, 293. and 1795, p. 35. where Dr. W. gives the first outlines on this subject.

ART. XXIII. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

GREAT BRITAIN. Dr. William Neilson proposes to publish by subscription, an Introduction to the Irish language. The work contains a Grammar, Familiar Phrases, and Dialogues, and Extracts from the most approved Books in the Irish Character, with Explanations and English Translations. Dr. N. has also nearly ready for the press, an Irish Dictionary, which he intends to publish immediately after the Introduction.

Mr. William Ticken, of the Royal Military College, proposes to publish by subscription, A Treatise on the Statistical,

Political, Astronomical, Historical and
Mathematical Principles of Geography.
Price, to subscribers, 11. to non-sub-
scribers, 11. 11s. 6d.

Mr. Ensor, author of a Treatise on Morals, is about to publish a work in 2 vols. 8vo. entitled, The Independent Man, or an Essay on the Formation and Developement of those Principles and Faculties of the Human Mind which constitute Moral and Intellectual Excel

lence..

Mr. Le Maistre has ready for publica tion, Travels in France, Italy and Germany.

Mr.

Mr. John Finlay, author of Wallace, is preparing for publication, a Selection of Scottish Historical Ballads, with Illus

trations.

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Mr. Mounsey, of Baliol College, Oxford, is about to publish the Proverbs of Ali, with a Latin Version, and Notes, by Cornelius Van Weener. The work is proceeding at the Clarendon Press.

A Portion of the Provincial Glossary, compiled by the late Rev. Jonathan Boucher, the Prospectus of which was issued about three years ago, will be published in a few weeks, revised by Sir Frederic Eden.

A second volume of the Chronological History of Voyages and Discoveries in the South Sea, by Capt. Burney, is in great forwardness.

Mr. J. Johnson, late Surgeon of the Caroline, is preparing for the press, a full account of a Voyage lately performed in that Ship to Madras, Bengal and China, interspersed with Topographical Sketches and Remarks, adapted to the use of persons making the voyage to India.

Mr. F. Sandys, architect, purposes to publish by subscription, a Treatise on the Antique Modes of Building. It is intended to consist of four books, treating of the practice of the ancients in the works of hewn-stone and brick, in the two first; and of carpentry, and the mathematical principles, that apply to the buildings of the ancients, in the two last.

The church of St. Mary Magdalen, at Taunton, has been long celebrated for the magnificence of its tower, a very fine specimen of the florid Gothic which prevailed in the time of Henry VII. Messrs. Lewis and Moore intend to publish by subscription, a South-West View of that Fabric; size, 19 inches by 24.

Mr. A Molleson, of Glasgow, has in the press, a Volume of Miscellanies, in prose and verse. It will include his essay, entitled, " Melody the Soul of Music," with the criticisms of review ers, and remarks by the author; and se veral pieces never before published.

Francis Plowden, Esq. will shortly publish the Principles and Law of Tithing, adapted not only to the instruc tion of students in the law, but of all persons interested in tithes; it will be illustrated by references to the most leading and recent titbe cases.

A translation is in the press, of Me moirs of Louis XIV. written by himself, for the Dauphin; to which are added several fragments of Military Memoirs,

C.

Mr. Creaser, surgeon, Bath, has nearly ready for publication, some Reports ou the Medical Application of Galvanism.

The following book, principally designed for the use of young persons, and, for the Lord's-day employment of schools, is nearly ready for publication, An Introduction to the Geography of the New Testament, comprising a Summary. Chronological, and Geographical View, of the Events recorded respecting the Ministry of our Saviour, with Questions for Examination, and an accented Index, accompanied with Maps; by Lant Carpenter, Exeter.

Mr. Bigland is printing a new and enlarged edition of his Letters on Modern Europe, adapted to the present state of the Continent.

Mr. Pinkerton's Recollections of Paris will appear very shortly.

The 7th, 8th, and 9th vols. of the 8vo. edition of Mr. Johnes translation of Froissart, are nearly ready for publica tion.

Mr. Loudon has made considerable progress in his new work on Forming a Country Residence.

The second edition of Bates's Christian Politics is in the press.

New editions of the Life of Talley. rand, and The Female Revolutionary Plutarch, may be expected this month.

The Rev. Mr. Sim has in the press, new edition of Mickle's Poetical Works, including several original Pieces, and a new Life of the Author.

The following Works are expected to ap pear shortly.

Thornton Abbey; a Series of Letters on religious subjects; with a recommendatory Preface, by Mr. Fuller.

A New History of England, in a Series of Letters to a young Lady at School, by Mrs. Charlotte Sinith. This work has been delayed several years in the press, by the ill health of the authoress, and at length, in order to complete the work, it has been finished by a female friend, under Mrs. S.'s superintendance.

An Inquiry into the Invention of the Life Boat, including Remarks on Mr. Greathead's Report of the Evidence and other Proceedings in Parliament respecting it, with a Description of the Boat the Principles of its Construction, &c. with authentic Documents, never before published, which tend to set aside Mr. Greathead's Claim to the Invention, by W. A. Hails, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

A work on the Cause and Treatment of the Gout, by the late Dr. Hamilton, of Lynn, author of Observations on 'Sero

phulous

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