danger of such works; and that improvements are daily making in every department of them, that must still further lessen the danger necessarily attendant on such establishments. The evidence sufficiently supports the opinion, that the risk of accident or danger is but small, if the ordinary care and attention, ne mises. did not think the estimate of the possible explosive force of a gasometer of fourteen thousand cubic feet over-rated, when compared with an explosion of ten barrels of unpowder: that the danger of explosion was in proportion to the size of the gasometer. Being asked, in case of an explosion cessary in every large establishment, is paid by of one large gasometer among fourteen or the officers and workmen employed on the pre-fifteen, though not actually in contact, what It is in evidence, that the carburetted hydrogen gas, usually supplied to the public, is not, of itself, explosive; but that, in order to render it so, a mixture of from five to twelve parts of atmospheric air, and the application of flame, is necessary; whilst the manner in which the gasometer-houses are in general built, renders it extremely difficult to form the mixture requisite for explosion, and consequently renders the chance of accident remote. The danger attendant on the use of gas In the streets and passages appears also to be small; and that it will, probably, by the better managemment and care of the persons employed in these establishments, be henceforth lessened. The Committee beg to refer to the evidence respecting the accidents, by explosions of gas, stated to have occurred at Edinburgh, Manchester, and other places, as to their extent. It appears, that in some of the gas works, safety lamps, on Sir Humphrey Davy's plan, are used on the premises, to guard against accidents that might occur by the application of flame to any explosive mixture that may have been formed, by leakage from the gasometers or pipes; and, as the Committee consider that precaution very necessary, they trust the directors of every establishment will immediately adopt them, both for their own and the public security. There are several suggestions in the reports, and in the evidence, as to the limits of districts, the size of gasometers, the distance of placing them from each other, the structure of the houses and roofs, the kind of tanks, &c. that deserve very serious attention: and, although the Committee view the interests of the gas establishments as intimately connected with the avoidance of danger from the gas, they are decidedly of opinion that such further power should be given to the Secretary of State over all gas establishments, as shall be deemed requisite to carry into effect the improvements in the works that may be necessary for the safety of the public. This day is published, AN ILLUSTRATION of the AR CHITECTURE and SCULPTURE of the CATHE SCULPTURE of the CATHEDRAL CHURCH of Price in boards, Atlas Quarto............£ 5.5%. The West Front of the Cathedral Church of Amiens. The Choir of Ditto. would be the effect; he replied:-'It is ex-plates, accompanied as above :- The Spires of the Cathedral Church of Chartres. Price Five Guineas the Six, or One Guinea each. To be had of Mr C. Wild, 35, Albemarle Street, and of all Book and Print-Sellers. TO READERS & CORRESPONDENTS. BRITTON'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF FONTHILL THE AUTHOR has to entreat the patient Subscribers names to be received till the 16th inst., subscribed for. Aug. 7th, 1823. 17, Burton Street, Tavistock Square, The Committee cannot close their Report without expressing their satisfaction that the public have obtained so great, and so rapidly increasing a means, of adding to the convenience and comfort of society, as the use of gas, under due management, must afford; and they are of opinion, that as a means of police, much benefit would be derived from its general introduction, to light the streets of this metropolis. Your Committee have deemed it proper to add to their Report, by way of appendix, the examinations of the several witnesses called before them; and they beg leave to refer gene-phy; a Chapter on Physical Geography: a View of the rally to the printed reports of the Royal Society and of Sir William Congreve. 7th July, 1823. This day is published, in a neat volume, price 4s. MIRTH for MIDSUMMER, MERRIMENT for MICHAELMAS, CHEERFULNESS for CHRISTMAS, LAUGHTER for LADY-DAY: formDrollery, suitable for all Seasons, and supplying Smiles for Summer, Amusement for Autumn, Wit for Winter, Sprightliness for Spring. ing a Collection of Parlour-Poetry and Drawing-Roo-a ternoster Row. Published this day, a Second Edition, corrected and em bellished with an elegant Frontispiece and Vignette Title, from Designs by Craig, engraved by Rhodes, THE YOUNG COUNTESS: a Tale for Youth, in royal 18mo, price 6s extra hoards. By the Author of The Blind Child Whoever wishes to be habitually and uniformly good, must have the vital principles of piety working at the heart.-Bishop Porteus's Sermons. The anthor has great pleasure in offering a new edition to the public, and is highly gratified by the very favourable wanner in which her little book has been received, and the important suffrages to its utility, which have been communicated to her. Printed for C. Chapple, Bookseller to the Dukes of DODSLEY'S ANNUAL REGISTER, 1822, London: printed for Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy; The following Atlases, with the most London:-Published by Davidson, at No. 2, Surrey 2. A CLASSICAL and HISTORICAL ATLAS, found. Street, Strand, where advertisements are received, ed on D'Anville with a Series of additional Maps, illus-and communications for the Editor (post paid) are to be addressed. Sold also by Simpkin and Marshall, Stationers' Hall Court; Ray. Creed Lane; Ridgway, Piccadilly; H. and W. Smith, 42. Duke Street, Grosvenor Square, and 192, Strand; Booth, Duke Street, Portland Place; Chapple, Pall Mall; by the Booksellers at the Royal Exchange; Sutherland, Calton by all other Booksellers and Newsoenders-Printed Street, Edinburgh; Griffin and Co, Glasgow; arad by G. Davidson, in Old Boswell Court, Carey Street. The Committee examined Sir H. Davy, W. Hyde Wollaston, M. D., John Milling-trating all the remarkable Epochs of the World: a SylTabus of History, and Chronological Tables: publishing ton, Esq., Sir W. Congreve, Mr. Jacob Da- in Numbers at 16s. each, to be completed in from 10 to vis, Mr. Sam. Clegg, Mr Wm. Lester, Mr, 13 Numbers, G. Lowe, Mr. J. Evans, and Mr. J. Watson. Sir Humphrey Davy, in reference to the explosion of the gas-works in Peter Street, Maps on imperial 4to price 21. 2. half-bound. And Weekly Review; Forming an Analysis and General Repository of Literature, Philosophy, Science, Arts, This Paper is published early every Saturday Morning, Price Sixpence; or 10d. if sent into the Country, Free of Postage, on the Day of Publication; No. 222. LONDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 1823. origin and alliances of the most eminent Price 6d. Review of New Books. the Conqueror and constable of the army, Of this manor and the manorThe History and Antiquities of Enfield, house, Dr. Robinson has given a very in the County of Middlesex, with Ap-years long past. It not only unites the interesting history, from the earliest pendices, compiled from the best Au- discoveries of antiquarian research with period to the present day, with some thorities and original Records pre- the information of modern times, but anecdotes and biographical notices of served in public Repositories and recalls to our remembrance the scenes the celebrated Dr. Uvedale. We have private Collections. By W. ROBIN- and events which the hand of time has also the following simple, and, it apSON, L. L. D. F. S. A. Author of the long since swept away, and presents to pears, effectual preventive against the Histories of Tottenham, Edmonton, us an accumulation of knowledge with-fatal effects of the plague :and Stoke Newington.' 2 vols. 8vo, out which history itself could not exist. 1823. Among the multifarious literary com- compass, much useful information and Ir is with considerable pleasure we an- Topography develops the progress of parochial endowments, and traces the 'Dr. Uvedale, in the great plague in 1665, as a preventative against its fatal effects, caused a brick to be put into the fire over night, and the next morning, when red hot, poured a quart of vinegar on it, and placed it in the middle of the hall floor, the steam of which was received by the whole family standing round. They then went to prayers, and afterwards, locking up the house, walked to Winchmore Hill, and on their return went to school. By this precaution not one of the family caught the infection.' An account of the ceremonies attendant upon the funeral of the great Sir Thomas Lovell, in 1524, copied from the original, in the Herald's College, is a very curious and interesting document, as it gives us an idea of the pomp displayed at the funerals of distinguished men in earlier times. Enfield is a spot which, from the accession of the Norman dynasty, has passed in succession through the Magnaville's and the highest nobles of the realm, and is distinguished as having been the residence of a princess whose name will ever be dear to Englishmen, This Sir Thomss Lovell was fifth son and whose reign diffused a splendour of Sir Ralph Lovell, of Barton Bendish, round the throne which in no period Norfolk. When only an esquire, he has been eclipsed. Here the Maiden was, temp. Henry VII. created chanQueen passed her leisure hours, de- cellor of the exchequer for life, and had voted to rural recreation and literature, an annuity of forty marks a-year grantto the refection of the body, and the em- ed him as an esquire of the king's body. bellishment of the mind. There are He died at Enfield, May 25, 1524, and other interesting facts in English histo- by his will, dated October, 14, 1522, ry connected with Enfield, which, at and proved September 26, 1528, gave this time, gives title to a Peer of Parlia- the manor of Worcesters, afterwards ment, by the title of Baron of Enfield. called Wroth's Place, to Thomas ManThe first baron was William Henry Zu-ners, Lord Ros (afterwards first Duke of leistein, son and heir of M. Zuleistein, Rutland), who married Elizabeth, daughwho was a natural son of Henry Frede-ter of his brother, Sir Robert Lovell. rick de Nassau, Prince of Orange, and grandfather to William III., and who created him Baron of Enfield after the battle of Landen, July 29, 1693, and afterwards Viscount Tonbridge and Earl of Rochford. The manor of Enfield, in the time of Edward the Confessor, belonged to Asgar, who was master of the horse to William Besides the manor of Enfield, there are six other manors, the history of which are very entertaining. The Chace, which is situated on the north side of the town, is thus described in Drayton's Poly-Olbion, xvi. p. 251.: A forest for her pride, tho' titl'd but a Chace, Her purlieus and ber parks, her circuit full as large Upon a part of this Chace, called Monken, or Monkey Mead-plane, was fought the bloody battle, in 1471, which decided the fate of the celebrated Earl of Warwick, who made and unmade kings at pleasure. Princess, afterwards Queen Elizabeth, hunted here: In April, 1557, the princess was escorted from Hatfield Hall to Enfield Chace, by a retinue of twelve ladies in white satin, on ambling palfreys, and twenty yeomen in green, on horseback, that her grace might hunt the hart. On entering the chace, she was met by fifty archers, in scarlet boots and yellow caps, armed with gilded bows, each of whom presented her with a silver-headed arrow, winged with peacock's feathers, and, by the way of closing the sport, the princess was gratified with the privilege of cutting the throat of a buck.' The célebrated and late lamented antiquary, Richard Gough, Esq. resided for many years in this parish, at the house purchased by his father, in 1723, and situated at the upper end of Baker Street. Of this house a back and front view is given; and a few pages are devoted to the memory of him whose distinguished character must have rendered him known to most of the inhabitants. His beneficent kindness must have en -The church, which is dedicated to St. Andrew, is a large handsome structure, in the Gothic style, built chiefly with flints and rubble stone; but the north wall and buttresses are entirely of brick, covered with plaster. At the west end is a square tower, built with flints and embattled. Its embattlements are bolder than those of the other parts of the church. In this tower are a clock and eight bells, six of which bear the maker's name, and the date 1724. In 1777, an ancient allegorical painting on wood, designed to represent the resurrection, was discovered behind the altarpiece. It was in six compartments, under Gothic arches, the spandrils of which were in imitation of windows: representations, was a man on a gibbet, in To the inhabitants of Enfield the Ap- a want of due respect for the Holy Writ, manifested in his unreserved and perpetually recurring use of scriptural of illustration, but for the far more unquotations, not merely for the purpose worthy ends of giving point to satire, seasoning to jest, and force to ridicule. Never were greater liberties taken with the word of God. Its most awful, affecting, and beautiful passages are pressed into the meanest services, enlisted on the coarsest occasions, and poured out from the unhallowed mouths of the most atrocious miscreants.' This is certainly a heavy charge against the great unknown,' as he is somewhat profanely called by his admirers; we must, however, confess, that although we think he treats scripture sometimes with unbecoming levity, yet we certainly have seen much greater liberties In our next number we shall make taken with the word of God, than have some interesting extracts, but, in the been taken by the author of Waverley.' mean time, we cannot close our remarks A divine may protest against the sacred on a work performed with zeal and abili- volume, as the ark of the covenant, bety, as this is, without giving it our warming touched by profane hands, and commendations. It should, together there are some laymen who will perwith its predecessors, be purchased by haps think a minister of the church of all topographical collectors; indeed, England might be better employed forming, as these volumes do, a history than in illustrating what he acknowof a most important section of the Bri- ledges to be a profane novel; but, leavtish empire, no library can be complete ing the great unknown' and the Rev. without them. Richard Warner to settle this point between themselves, we may observe that the admirers of the romance of ' Ivanhoe' 1 deared his memory to them all. A pro-Illustrations, Historical, Biographical, may find much information, and no file of Mr. Gough, sketched by the late and Miscellaneous, of the Novels by slight degree of pleasure, in the IlMr. Schnebbelie, about 1798, is also inthe Author of Waverley,' &c. with lustrations' of the reverend gentleman, troduced. Criticisms, general and particular.—which in the present instance are conBy the REV. RICHARD WARNER, fined to that work. It is true that there Rector of Great Chalfield, Wilts. is little originality in the work, which 12mo. pp. 349. London, 1823. is but a string of extracts, from other WHATEVER merit the Illustrations' of writers, but it is also true that every the Rev. Mr. Warner may possess, we trust novel reader has not got the Enghe will not tax us with the cost of a sepa- lish history by heart; nor does every rate volume to every novel or romance private library of reference, or every by the author of Waverley;' for, after circulating library, contain all the paying some guinea and a half or two chronicles of England, Pierce Plowman, guineas for a novel, one can scarcely be Latimer's Sermons, and a host of other expected to give very freely for a work works, industriously consulted and raof mere extracts from well-known his-ther ingeniously applied by Mr. Warner, torians, who have written of the period whose book is curious as a picture of or country to which the novel refers. the manners of a barbarous age, as well A tolerable essay on the merits of the as interesting in a literary point of view, Waverley' novels, with some severe ob- by shewing wherein a great writer servations on the profanity of their au- avails himself of history, and wherein thor, constitute the principal originality he differs from it. of these Illustrations,' which are little more than a cento of passages from old historians, relative to the manners of the people in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. In the second compartment was seen St. Michael pursuing the devil with a crosier in his hand, and weighing souls in a balance the righteous were represented passing from his right hand into a heavenly city, and the wicked pushed and dragged by devils into the mouth of hell; behind which were devils carrying away souls, and, among other *High woods." On the immoral character of the Waverley' novels, Mr. Warner speaks strongly; he charges the author with Recollections of the Peninsula. By the Author of Sketches in India.' 8vo. London, 1823. WITH none of the set phrase of authorship, and with much of that carelessness of manner which is common to a military life, the author of the volume be bottom of it; from whence, indeed, they had been removing their wounded.' Another and an equally vivid picture of a battle occurs in the following passage: "We stood to our arms an hour before fore us gives some very animated pic-tacking the extreme of the British right. We tures from his acquaintance with the were halted exactly in rear of that spot, from Peninsula, when it was the scene of a which the seventy-fourth regiment, having more active and a more desolating war- just repulsed a column, was retiring in line, fare than that which at present distin- all torn with shot. Here a few shells flew with the most beautiful regularity, its colours guishes it. Five years' campaiguing un-harmlessly over our line, but we had not the break of day: it was a brilliant sight, at der our great captain, and such cam- honour of being engaged. The first wound-sun-rise, to see the whole of the French capaigning as it was, are quite sufficient ed man I ever beheld in the field was car-valry moving on the plain; but in a short to fill the portfolio of the most indolent ried past me, at this moment; he was a fine time they retired into the wood, leaving with memoranda, or to store the most young Englishman, in the Portuguese ser- their picquets as before. The battalion retentive memory with recollections;vice, and lay helplessly in a blanket, with both being dismissed, I breakfasted, and immeand our officer, who is rather of the lat- his legs shattered by cannon-shot. He look-diately afterwards set out to walk towards ter than the former class, has availed ed pale, and big drops of perspiration stood the Spanish troops, little dreaming, that himself of his opportunities to give us a his agony appeared unutterable. I secretly a few shots caused me to return; and I on his manly forehead; but he spoke not- day, of a general action. But the sound of very interesting volume, descriptive of wished him death; a mercy, I believe, that found our line getting hastily under arms, the fatigue and the hardships of a mili-was not very long withheld. About this and saw the enemy in motion. The prelude tary life, the horrors of warfare, the glo- time, Lord Wellington, with a numerous of skirmishing lasted about an hour and a ries of a victory-and every thing but staff, gallopped up, and delivered his orders half, and our division lost a few men by randefeat. He draws a melancholy, but, to General Hill, immediately in front of our dom gun-shot; all this time we were standwe doubt not, a very correct picture of corps; I therefore distinctly overheard him. ing at ease, and part of it exposed to a heavy, the desolation war creates. • Not a "If they attempt this point again, Hill, you chilling, and comfortless rain. Sounds, town or village I had passed,' says he, will give them a volley, and charge bayonets; however, which breathed all the fierceness on my route from Lisbon, but affect-far down the hill." I was particularly struck rolling of musketry, accompanied by loud but don't let your people follow them too of battle, soon reached us; the continued ing traces of the invasion of this smiling with the style of this order, so decided, so and repeated discharges of cannon on our country were every where to be seen. manly, and breathing no doubt as to the re- extreme right, told us, convincingly, that Cottages all roofless and untenanted; pulse of any attack; it confirmed confidence. the real attack was in that quarter. The the unpruned vine, growing in rank lux-Lord Wellington's simplicity of manner in brigades of our division were succssively calluriance over their ruined walls; neg- the delivery of orders, and in command, is ed to support it. We formed in open column lected gardens; the shells of fine houses quite that of an able man. He has nothing of companies at half distance, and moved half destroyed by fire; convents and of the truncheon about him; nothing full- in rapid double-quick time to the scene of acchurches, too solid to be demolished, mouthed, important, or fussy; his orders, tion. I remember well, as we moved down in on the field, are all short, quick, clear, and column, shot and shell flew over and through standing open and deserted, with the to the purpose. The French, however, ne- it in quick succession: we sustained little inornamental wood or stone-work, which ver moved us throughout the day; their two jury from either, but a captain of the 29th once adorned them, broken down and desperate assaults had been successfully re- had been dreadfully lacerated by a ball, and defaced all proclaimed silently, but pelled, and their loss, as compared to ours, lay directly in our path. We passsd close forcibly, that I was travelling through a exceedingly severe. From the ridge, in to him, and he knew us all; and the heartcountry which had been the theatre of front of our present ground, we could see rending tone in which he called to us for war, and exposed to the ravages of conthem far better than the evening before; water, or to kill him, I shall never forget. tending armies. Such is war-the war arms, appointments, uniforms, were all dis- He lay alone, and we were in motion, and of civilized man, in its results; what it is in removing their wounded from the foot of day, such of the wounded as could not walk tinguishable. They occupied themselves could give him no succour; for on this trying in itself our author shall also show. The our position; but as none of their troops lay unattended where they fell-all was British line was under arms before day- broke up, it was generally concluded that hurry and struggle; every arm was wanted break; as the day dawned, a few dis- they would renew their attacks on the mor- in the field. When we arrived near the tant shots were fired, and these were row. In the course of the day, our men discomfited and retiring Spaniards, and followed by the discharge of cannon and went down to a small brook, which flowed formed our line to advance through them tothe continued roll of musketry: between the opposing armies, for water; and wards the enemy, a very noble-looking French and English soldiers might be seen young Spanish officer rode up to me, and drinking out of the same narrow stream, and begged me, with a sort of proud and brave even leaning over to shake hands with each anxiety, to explain to the English that his other. One private, of my own regiment, countrymen were ordered to retire, but actually exchanged forage-caps with a sol- were not flying. Just as our line had endier of the enemy, as a token of regard and tirely cleared the Spaniards, the smoky good-will. Such courtesies, if they do not shroud of battle was, by the slackening of disguise, at least soften the horrid features the fire, for one minute blown aside, and of war; and it is thus we learn to reconcile gave to our view the French grenadier caps, our minds to scenes of blood and carnage. their arms, and the whole aspect of their Towards sun-set, our picquets were sent frowning masses. It was a momentary, down the hill, and I plainly saw them posted but a grand sight; a heavy atmosphere of among the corpses of those who had fallen smoke again enveloped us, and few objects in the morning, Nothing, however, imme- could be discerned at all, none distinctly. diately near us, presented the idea of recent The coolest and bravest soldier, if he be in slaughter; for the loss, on our side, was so the heat of it, can make no calculation of partial, and, considering the extent of our line, so trifling, that there was little, if any, vestige of it: not so the enemy's; but as they suffered principally on their retreat down the hill, their slain lay towards the We received orders to move, and support the troops attacked: the whole of Hill's corps, amounting to fourteen thousand men, was thrown into open column, and moved to its left in steady double quick time, and in the highest order. "When within about a furlong of one of the points of attack, from which the enemy was just then driven by the seventy-fourth regiment, I cast my eye back to see if I could discover the rear of our divisions; eleven thousand men were following, all in sight, all in open column, all rapidly advancing in double quick time. None, but a soldier, can picture to himself such a sight; and it is, even for him, a rare and a grand one. It certainly must have had a very strong effect on such of the enemy as, from the summit of the ridge, which they had most intrepidly ascended, beheld it, and who, ignorant of Hill's presence, thought they had been at time during an engagement. Interested and animated, he marks not the flight of the hours, but he feels that, Come what come may, Time and the hour run through the roughest day.' This murderous contest of musketry lasted loug. We were the whole time progressively advancing on and shaking the enemy. At the distance of about twenty yards from them, we received orders to charge; we had ceased firing, cheered, and had our bayonets in the charging position, when a body of the enemy's horse was discovered under the shoulder of a rising ground, ready to take advantage of our impetuosity. Already however, had the French infantry, alarmed by our preparatory cheers, which always indicate the charge, broken and fled, abandoning some guns and howitzers about sixty yards from us. The presence of their cavalry not permitting us to pursue, we halted and re-commenced firing on them. The slaughter was now, for a few minutes, dreadful; every shot told; their officers in vain attempted to rally them; they would make no effort. Some of their artillery, indeed, took up a distant position which much annoyed our line; but we did not move until we had expended every round of our ammunition, and then retired, in the most stream, my bosom fanned by whatever air abandoned for the night; of this my cheerful little mess took possesion, and here we ate our cold meat and drank our wine, with all the gaiety of a party of pleasure. 'After an hour's labour in the morning, finding we made little or no way by water, we landed and marched to Santarem. The situation of this city is very striking; it is built on bold elevated ground, hanging directly over the Tagus, the southern bank of which it completely commands. The regiment was quartered for the night in a convent, and I received a billet on a private house. At the door of it I was met The English were much admired in by the owner, a gentleman-looking welldressed man, of about 60, and of a very Portugal, and nothing could be more mild, pleasing address: he led the way to a cordial than the reception given to our neat apartment, and a pretty bedchamber. troops in that country during the last I was covered with dust and dirt, and dewar, until, says our author, the man-clined them as too good; but how was my ners of my strange, but well-meaning confusion increased, when my host himself countrymen, soon wrought a change in brought me water in a silver basin to wash, the kind dispositions of this people.' while his good lady presented me with choThis change was effected by our assumcolate, bearing it herself on a salver. I feared that they had mistaken my rank ing as a right all that had been accord- from my two epaulettes, and I explained to ed from politeness; turning their pecu- them that I was a simple lieutenant. No: liarities, and even their religious preju- they well knew my rank, but did not pay dices, into derision and ridicule; and me the less attention: they perfumed my vulgarly insulting them in scenes of bru-chamber with rose-water, took off my knapOf the environs of sack with their own hands, and then left me Lisbon and the reception of our troops, to refresh myself by washing and dressing, our author gives a pleasing picture :and to recover from the pleasing astonishment into which their cordial and polite reception had thrown me. In the evening my party dined here, and the worthy host presented us with some magnums of fine old wine, and the choicest fruits. We made scruples; he over-ruled them with true and unaffected hospitality, and we, in return, pressed on his acceptance six bottles of excellent Sauterne, the remains of our small stock of French wine. perfect order, to a spot sheltered from their It is not, however, in the hour of battle alone that the soldier's life is rendered painful or perilous; the bivouack itself is one of no ordinary degree of hardship, though our author tells us that it is a pleasing sight to see a column arrive at its halting-ground. "The camp is generally marked out, if circumstances allow of it, on the edge of some wood, and near a river or stream. The troops are halted in open columns, arms piled, picquets and guards paraded and posted, and, in two minutes, all appear at home. Some fetch large stones to form fire-places: others hurry off for canteens and kettles for water, while the wood resounds with the blows of the bill-hook. Dispersed, under the more distant trees, you see the officers; some dressing, some arranging a few boughs to shelter them by night; others kindling their own fires; while the most active are seen returning from the village laden with bread, or, from some flock of goats feeding near us, with a supply of new milk. How often, under some spreading cork-tree, which offered shade, shelter, and fuel, have I taken up my lodging for the night; and here, or by some gurgling 'From the quay of the Commercial Square our men sprung into the boats, and our litthe fleet was soon sailing up the river, under a favourable breeze. It must have been a beautiful sight for those on the quays and along the banks, to mark our fair array. The polished arms, the glittering cap-plates, and the crimson dress of the British soldiers, crowded in open barks, must have produced a very fine effect. And we, too, gazed on a scene far different indeed, but most peaceful, most lovely. The northern bank of the river from Lisbon to Villa Franca (about six leagues) presents a continued succession of rural beauties: convents, chapels, and quintas, gardens and vineyards, wood and verdure, cattle and groups of villagers, all blended in bright and gay confusion, arrest the eye and address the heart. Here you saw, in their cool and shaded cloisters, small parties of monks, in the dark and picturesque dress of their orders, observing us as we passed along: there some happy family, parents, children, and servants, would hurry to their garden terrace on the water's edge, and salute us with smiles and vivas, while a little farther, in the back ground, you might discern soine solitary nun, who, from the high and grated casement of her convent, looked out on the strange and brilliant show and hastily withdrew. About two leagues above Villa Franca the breeze died away, and not a breath of air stirred on the water. Our boatmen took to their poles, and, with all their exertion, made little more than a league, when the shades of evening closed in, and we brought to, near the bank. Here we found a Portuguese tent, which had been pitched for some day-guard, but was 'Such was my treatment in the first billet I ever entered in Portugal, and such, with very few exceptions, was the character of the reception given, by Portuguese of all classes, according to their means, at the commencement of the Peninsular struggle, to the British army; rich and poor, the clergy and laity, the hidalgo and the peasant, all expressed an eagerness to serve and a readiness to honour us. In these early marches the villa, the monastery, and the cottage were thrown open at the approach of our troops; the best apartments, the neatest cells, the humble but only beds, were all resigned to the march-worn officers and men, with undisguised cheerfulness.' It is much to be regretted that the stern manners of our countrymen should have lessened the attentions or esteem of the Portugueze, who were not able to discern that their unbending, and in some degree unsociable conduct, was but a spirit of rude independence-an error of the head and not of the heart. But let it arise from what cause it may, it is impartially recorded and justly censured by our author, whose Recollections' form a highly interesting volume. |