6 tion; but, in 1839, the college was remodelled, of cannon, and commanding an extensive and and is now appropriated to the instruction of beautiful view. Portsmouth is entered by four, junior naval and marine officers in the higher and Portsea by two, carriage gateways, some branches of science connected with their profession, having considerable architectural beauty. Besides and especially the principles and practice of naval the town batteries, Spithead and the approaches gunnery. The officers belonging to this establish- to the harbour are defended by Southsea Castle, ment are boarded and lodged in the college, but and Forts Cumberland, Blockhouse, and Monkare borne on the books as part of the complement ton. Southsea Castle, founded by Henry VIII., of a ship of the line in the harbour. Immediately about 1 m. SE. Portsmouth, is built almost wholly facing the residence of the port-admiral is a of stone; as are Forts Monkton and Blockhouse handsome white brick building, intended originally on the mainland. Fort Cumberland, on the E. for a school or college of naval architecture, for extremity of Portsea Island, a structure of the last the education of a superior class of shipwrights;' century, covers a large space, and has earthen a plan which, though on no very satisfactory ramparts faced with brick, and barrack-room for grounds, has since been abandoned. On the green, 3,000 men. The town, its suburbs, and auxiliin front of the last mentioned building, is a ary fortresses are garrisoned by the Portsmouth bronzed leaden statue of William III. Adjacent divisions of royal marines and marine artillery, to the college is a chapel-of-ease for persons at- and a certain number of infantry of the line. tached to the dockyard. The latter was, during Within the town are several capacious and excellast century, the scene of several conflagrations. lent barracks, and there are others in the gunOne of these, in 1776, was clearly the work of an wharf, at Tipner and Hilsea. Portsmouth has a incendiary, who was convicted and executed for military hospital, and a marine infirmary situated the offence. The dockyard is, however, daily between the custom-house and the gun-wharf. open to the inspection of visitors who apply for But Haslar Hospital for the reception of sick and admission at the gate. wounded seamen, the principal establishment of its kind in the kingdom, is on the opposite side of the harbour at Gosport (which see). The chief engineering department for the S. and W. of England, and the residences of the commandants of the marines and engineers, are among the other principal government buildings. To the S. of the dockyard, and nearer the mouth of the harbour, is the gun-wharf,' or arsenal for ordnance stores. This is an extensive and very complete establishment. As a depôt for cannon it is inferior to the arsenal at Woolwich, but, in most other respects, it is very superior to the latter. It comprises many extensive and The par. church of Portsmouth, founded about handsome storehouses, filled with all kinds of am- 1220, but principally rebuilt in 1693, is a spacious munition; a neat armoury roofed with copper, stone edifice with a square tower, 120 ft. in height, and containing small arms for 20,000 men ; a labo- surmounted by a cupola and vane, which forms ratory, and various other offices, spacious quays an important landmark. Among other monualong the harbour, and a terrace of excellent resi- ments, it has one to Villiers, duke of Buckingdences for its officers, fronted by a finely planted ham, assassinated here in 1628. The vicarage is inclosure. This establishment is separated into in the patronage of Winchester College. Adthe two divisions of the old and new gun-wharf joining the grand parade is the garrison chapel by the mill-pond; a dammed-up creek between and burying-ground. In Portsea are two chapels Portsmouth and Portsea, which supplies the moats of ease, St. John's and St. George's. St. Paul's, of both, and also turns a considerable flour mill Southsea, and All Saints', Newtown, are elegant formerly attached to the victualling office, but Gothic edifices of similar architecture, the former now in private hands. The victualling depart- built in 1822, at an expense of 15,2291., and the ment, which formerly occupied some large piles latter, in 1827, at a cost of 12,4644. Portsea par. of building within the town of Portsmouth, was, church is an antiquated edifice at Kingston, about in 1828, removed to Weovil (see GOSPORT); and 1 m. from the town, and surrounded by a very its former storehouses have partly been purchased extensive cemetery. The living is a vicarage, in by merchants of the town, and partly given place the patronage of St. Mary's College, Winchester. to a handsome row of modern dwellings, the new There are numerous places of worship for Indealmshouses, and the building of the Philosophical pendents, Baptists, Wesleyans, Bryanites, Scotch Society. The custom-house is an insignificant Presbyterians, Unitarians, Rom. Caths., General building, but in a convenient situation. The Baptists, and Jews. The town-hall and gaol tofunctions of governor are exercised by a lieut.-gether occupy a large edifice; the latter, which governor, who occupies a noble mansion in High Street, formerly the residence of the port-admiral. Portsmouth appears to have been originally fortified by Edward IV. Its works were greatly augmented and improved during the reigns immediately succeeding, and in those of Elizabeth, Charles II. and James II. Under William III. they were completed, nearly as at present, the town being almost wholly enclosed within a bastioned enceinte, the ramparts faced with masonry, and encircled with broad moats, with a glacis beyond. But, owing to the rise of Portsea, the N. side of these works soon became useless; and, in 1770, the government began also to surround Portsea with works on a still more extensive scale. At present a continuous line of ramparts extends round both towns, and the belt of fortification is completed by the works surrounding Gosport, on the opposite side of the harbour. The ramparts, being planted with elms and poplars, form the favourite promenades of the inhab.; and facing the sea is the Platform, a fine stone battery, mounting 25 pieces is clean, convenient, and well conducted, is under the jurisdiction of the borough magistrates. A market-house and exchange, the general dispensary, savings' bank, workhouses, female penitentiary, beneficial society's hall, literary and philosophical institution, with a handsome editice, and a good museum and library; Hampshire library with 5,000 volumes, the King's Rooms at Southsea, with an excellent bathing establishment, Green Row and York Rooms, used for balls, and a theatre, are the other principal buildings of public interest. There are Lancastrian and national schools, an endowed free grammar school for 50 boys; and St. Paul's school, a joint-stock subscription academy for superior classical and mathematical instruction; besides several good private academies, a mechanics' institute, forensic and philharmonic societies, and various charities. On the London road, about 1 m. from the town, is a new and spacious public cemetery. In addition to its other conveniences, Portsmouth harbour enjoys an important advantage of opening into the celebrated road of Spithead, between the Hampshire coast and the Isle of Wight. It derives its name from a sand-bank called the Spit, extending about 3 m. in a SE. direction, from the narrow neck or tongue of land on which Gosport is built. A ship of war was formerly kept moored, as a guard or receiving ship, at the head of this bank; but since the peace this practice has been discontinued, and the roadstead is merely marked by buoys placed at regular intervals. It is here that ships fitted out in the docks and harbour rendezvous before going to sea, and it is also a secure and convenient asylum for the Channel fleet and other vessels, during the occurrence of storms. From its safety and capaciousness this roadstead is called by sailors, the king's bed-chamber.' Inasmuch as Portsmouth depends for support on its being a great naval port and arsenal, its prosperity is necessarily greatest during war. At present, however, if we compare it with previous periods of peace, it may be said to be flourishing. It necessarily has a considerable trade in the importation of the various articles required in its numerous establishments, and for the supply of the inhabs., and the victualling of the fleet. In January, 1864, there belonged to the port, 153 sailing vessels under 50, and 99 above 50 tons, besides 9 steamers, of an aggregate burthen of 358 tons. The gross customs' revenue amounted to 22.4781, in 1863. Portsmouth is connected with Arundel and London by a navigable canal, and communicates with Gosport by a floating bridge for passengers and carriages, the property of a company incorporated in 1838. Steamers ply to Ryde, Cowes, Lymington, Havre, Plymouth, Dublin, and other ports. Portsmouth received its first charter from Richard I., which was confirmed by various subsequent monarchs. Under the Municipal Reform Act it is divided into seven wards; its municipal officers being a mayor, 13 aldermen, and 42 councillors. It has a commission of the peace under a recorder, and the boundaries of the municipal and parl. bor. are co-extensive. Petty sessions are held three times a week, and a county court is established here, before which 2,181 plaints were entered in 1848. Portsmouth has sent 2 mems. to the H. of C. since the 23d Edward I.; the right of election down to the Reform Act being vested in the mayor and corporation, the number of which seldom exceeded 60. The electoral limits were enlarged by the Boundary Act, so as to include all the parish of Portsea with the old borough; and, in 1865, there were 4,583 registered electors. Portsmouth is one of the polling places at elections for the S. division of Hampshire. Markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The charter of Richard I. established a fair in the town, called the Free Mart,' which lasts for 15 days from July 10, and is succeeded by a 3 days' fair on Portsdown Hill, attended by a great concourse of people. The earliest mention of Portsmouth occurs in the Saxon chronicle, which states that it existed in 501. It probably owes its origin to the sea having retired from Porchester, probably the anc. Portus Adurni at the upper end of the harbour, on which account the inhabs. removed thither, and built a town at the mouth of the port. It was taken and burnt by the French in 1377, but was soon recovered, and in the reign of Henry VIII. had become the principal naval arsenal of England. PORTSMOUTH, a town and port of entry in the C. States, being the largest town, though not the cap., of New Hampshire, on a peninsula in the Piscataqua, 3 m. from the Atlantic, 40 m. PORTUGAL (KINGDOM OF), anc. Lusitania, the most W.state of continental Europe, occupying the greater part of the W. portion of the Spanish peninsula, between the 37th and 42nd degs. N. lat., and the 6th and 10th W. long., having E. and N. Spain, and S. and W. the Atlantic. Length, N. to S., about 350 m.; average breadth, rather more than 100 m. The kingdom is divided into seven provinces, the area of which and population, according to the census of 1838, and of 1858, is given in the subjoined table: Provinces Minho. Alemtejo Total. 109,200 8,834 10,255 Population in 1858 860,479 324,295 996,350 1,025,371 161,222 790,700 755,122 314,310 305,404 2,099 135,260 152,784 36,510 3,549,4203,584,677 Geographically considered, Portugal can be regarded in no other light than as a dependency on, or portion of Spain; and, in fact, all the mountain chains and great rivers by which she is traversed originate in the eastern and more extensive portion of the peninsula. The principal mountain chain, the Sierra de Estrella, runs SW. and NE. from the Spanish frontier, near Almeida, to Cape Roca, near Lisbon, the most westerly land in Europe, lat. 38° 46′ 30′′ N., long. 9° 30′ 24′′ W. The culminating point of this chain, near Covilha, is 7,524 feet above the sea. Another chain, the Sierra Monchique, runs across the prov. of Algarve, the most southerly in the kingdom, terminating in Cape St. Vincent. There are a great number of inferior chains, and the provinces to the N. of the Douro are especially encumbered with mountains. The great rivers, the Tagus, Douro, Minho, and Gaudiana, have their sources in Spain, though they are joined by some considerable affluents in their passage through Portugal. There are but few lakes, and those of no importance; but mineral and hot springs are not uncommon. Water, in many districts, particularly in the S., is both scarce and bad; and, in consequence, extensive tracts in the great plain of Alemtejo and other provinces are nearly uninhabitable. The climate is, in general, milder and more agreeable than in Spain, owing to the height of the mountains and the great extent of coast. In the rugged tracts of the NE. (Tras os Montes) the air is in many parts keen. In the valleys, and in the S. part of the kingdom, the case is generally very different; but all along the coast the heat is tempered by the sea breezes. Snow seldom lies on the low ground; but the rains of winter are often heavy and long continued; and at this season the vicinity of Lisbon and other parts of the country are very subject to earthquakes. Violent hurricanes are also of frequent occurrence. The general aspect of Portugal is similar to that of Spain, and even more luxuriant. -'It is a goodly sight to see What heaven hath done for this delicious land! What fruits of fragrance blush on every tree! What goodly prospects o'er the hills expand!' Childe Harold, canto i. st. xv. The vegetable products are very various, as well from difference of latitude as from the great variety of elevation. Wheat, barley, oats, flax, hemp, and other products of a northern latitude, are raised in the high grounds, vines and maize in those of warmer temperature, and rice in the low grounds. The chief fruits are olives, oranges, and lemons; but the last two grow only in the warm and sheltered valleys of the S. and central parts of the kingdom. The woods are extensive: in the N. they consist principally of oak; in the central provinces of chestnut, and in the S. of sea pine, kermes, and cork trees. Algarve produces the American aloe, date, and other intertropical products; and Portugal is supposed to have a greater number of indigenous plants than any other part of Europe. (Balbi, Essai Statistique, i. 145.) Silk is produced of very good quality; and, in general, any deficiency, whether in vegetable or animal products, is to be imputed not to the soil or climate, but to the indolence and unskilfulness of the people. trampling the grain under the feet of horses and cattle. Though, in so dry a country, the command of water and the irrigation of the lands be indispensable, this, in many extensive districts, is quite neglected. In consequence, the country is in parts but little occupied, and the traveller sometimes proceeds a distance of 15 or 20 m. without discovering as many houses. To show the deficiency of the means of communication, it may be sufficient to state that, on travelling from Abrantes to the Spanish frontier, along the N. side of the Tagus, a distance of about 100 m., there are six rivers to cross without a single bridge, though they are fordable only in dry weather. It must not, however, be supposed that these statements apply equally to the whole country. The inhabs, of the greater part of the provs, of Entre-Douro-e-Minho and Tras-os-Montes, to the N. of the Douro, and of the adjoining portions of Beira, participate, to a considerable extent, in the industrious qualities of their neighbours the Galicians. (See GALICIA.) An abundant supply of water is here provided, partly from natural streams, but principally from wells dug in the sides of the mountains; and, in consequence, good corn crops are raised in the lower grounds. while the hills are covered with vineyards, and olives and other fruits are also extensively raised. The But, with these exceptions, agriculture in Portugal is, at this moment, probably in a more backward state even than in Spain, or any other Furopean country. We incline, however, to think that this will not long be the case. more intelligent classes have at length become aware of the vicious nature of the institutions which have so long prevented the development of industry; and, of late years, most important changes have been effected in the tenures under The agriculture of Portugal, though recently which landed property is held, and in its distriit has begun to improve, is still, speaking gene-bution. The feudal rights of the nobility and rally, in the most backward and degraded state imaginable. A variety of circumstances have conspired to bring about this result; among which, the heat of the climate and the want of water, especially in the southern provinces, have, no doubt, a very considerable influence. Probably, however, the mildness of the climate has been still more injurious than its aridity, for this has at once encouraged the indolence, and lessened the wants of the people. And if to these powerful physical causes we add the pernicious practice of exempting the clergy and nobility from those direct taxes which were made to fall with their full weight on the cultivators; the vast amount of property in mortmain, and prevented from coming into the hands of those who would turn it to the best account; the want of a proper method of letting, and the consequent insecurity of the occupiers; the want of a manufacturing pop., and of great towns, that is, of markets for agricultural produce; the extreme badness of the roads, and the difficulties in the way of internal communication; the number of saints' days, fasts, and other superstitious observances; and the ignorance of the people; we shall certainly have little cause to wonder at the low state of agriculture in most parts of the country. other landed proprietors have been suppressed; an equal system of direct taxation has been introduced; and a large extent of crown property and of estates belonging to monasteries, sold at low prices, has mostly found its way into the hands of industrious proprietors. Hence, though the want of capital, the ignorance and indolence of the peasantry, be most formidable obstacles to the rapid spread of improvement, it has notwithstanding already made a considerable progress. In proof of this we may mention that, despite the facilities afforded for the importation of corn and other bulky products from the interior into Lisbon, by means of the Tagus, which runs through the centre of the kingdom, that city was long indebted to foreign countries for a considerable portion of her supplies of corn; but this, we are glad to say, is no longer the case; and, in 1839, for the first time for centuries, considerable quantities of Portuguese corn were shipped from the Tagus! Flax, hemp, and potatoes are grown only to a small extent; and, owing to the want of due care and attention, the olive oil is of an inferior quality. Wine, however, is the staple produce of Portugal, and that by which she is best known in the United Kingdom. The red wine, called port, In the greater portion of the kingdom the from its being all shipped from Oporto, is profarmers are quite unacquainted with the rotation duced in the Upper Douro, about 50 m. above of crops, and, one would be almost disposed to Oporto, on a succession of low hills on both sides conclude, of the differences of soil, inasmuch as the river, having the finest soil and exposure. they continue to raise the same crops indiscrimi- The produce of this district is generally divided nately from all sorts of land. Their implements into two sorts of wine, the vinho do Feitoria, or are of the clumsiest and rudest description; the Factory-wine, for exportation; and the vinho do harrow and the hoe were, till lately, nearly un-ramo, an inferior wine for home consumption and known, and thrashing was usually performed by distillation. Great complaints having been made, are in general carried on in separate cottages, like the coarse woollens of North Wales, or the linen of Normandy, and are founded on the primitive plan of every family manufacturing for its own consumption. Manufacturing establishments are but few in number, and are principally for the production of woollens, silk, and earthenware. Cotton has also been attempted of late years, and paper, glass, and gunpowder are made in a few places. The cottons, woollens, linens, hardware, and earthenware of England are all largely imported into Portugal, and are used by all but the very lowest classes. A very superficial knowledge even of some of the commonest arts exist. The carriages of all kinds, more particularly waggons and carts, agricultural implements, cutlery, locks, and keys, are ludicrously bad. The chief forte of the Portuguese appears to lie in ship-building and stone-masonry; they also excel in embroidery, and make good artificial flowers, and lace. about the middle of last century, by the merchants in England and their agents in Oporto, of the bad quality and adulteration of the wine, the matter came under the notice of the Portuguese government; and the method which it took to redress the evil is singularly illustrative of its sagacity and principles of action. Instead of leaving the matter to be adjusted between the growers of the wine and the merchants, or, at farthest, contenting itself with confiscating such wines as were found to be adulterated, it made over the whole district to a joint-stock company, and invested them with almost despotic privileges. Thus the agents of the company were authorised to class the wines belonging to individuals, and to fix their maximum price; so that the company became, in fact, the sole buyer, at its own price, of the wines produced within the limits of its charter. But for the rooted taste for the wines of the Upper Douro established in Great Britain through the influence of the long-continued high discrimi- The navigation and commercial intercourse of nating duty on French wines, it is probable that Portugal are of more importance; and though, even the institution of the company would have de- in the times of Emanuel and Albuquerque, they stroyed the Portuguese wine trade. It has how-were by no means so extensive as is generally supever, owing to the continued demand for the posed, they were, notwithstanding, very considerBritish markets, continued to keep its ground, or able, and appeared immense from the small amount rather to increase, though not nearly to the ex- of the shipping and trade of other nations. For a tent that, under other circumstances, might have long time past the import and export trade of the been anticipated. It is a curious fact, that the country has been conducted chiefly by foreign Oporto wine company, after being suppressed by merchants, particularly British, settled in Lisbon Don Pedro as a nuisance, has been re-established, and Oporto. The exports consist almost entirely though with less oppressive privileges. In addi- of raw produce, or of wine, oil, salt, wool, fruits, tion to port, considerable quantities of Lisbon, and cork. The imports include corn and flour, Calcavella, and other white wines, are exported. cotton goods (by far the most important article), Some red wine is also exported from Figueiras. hardware, woollens, fish, linens, earthenware, drugs, tea, and coal. The pastures in Minho, and in the Sierra Estrella and some other parts, are excellent; but throughout most part of the kingdom they are very much neglected. In consequence of the great number of fast days enjoined by the church, few cattle were reared; and a large proportion of those required for the consumption of the principal towns were imported from Galicia and other adjacent Spanish provs. Horses are scarce, oxen being commonly used for draught, except in towns. Mules, however, are numerous, and of an excellent breed; and, with asses, are generally preferred, on account of the rugged nature of the country, to horses for travelling. Sheep breeding is principally conducted in Beira, whence large flocks are sent to winter in Alemtejo. The wool of the Portuguese sheep might, no doubt, with a little attention, be rendered equal to that of the Spanish sheep; but no pains have been taken to improve its quality. Goats and hogs are numerous; and the latter are of a superior kind, and yield excellent hams. The fisheries, which were formerly important, are now insignificant; except in Algarve, where tunny and pilchards are taken. The mineral products are considerable, though few mines except those of iron have been wrought, in consequence partly of the scarcity of fuel, and partly of the supply of minerals (chiefly copper and lead) from Brazil. The mountains abound in fine marble, and contain traces of gold and silver. Large quantities of salt of a very superior quality are produced in bays along the coast by natural evaporation, especially at Setubal or St. Ubes, whence it is largely exported. Gold dust obtained by washings; and in antiquity the Tagus was famous for its golden sands: Tagus auriferis arenis celebratur.' (Plin. Hist. Nat, lib. iv. cap. 22.) Coal is found near Oporto and elsewhere; and lead and antimony are raised, but not to any considerable amount. Manufactures and Trades.-The manufactures of Portugal are in a very backward state: they The commercial relations of Portugal are chiefly with Great Britain, and there is very little trade, either by land or sea, with other countries. Next to Great Britain, but far below, stand Brazil and` France. The relative importance of British trade with Portugal will be seen by the following figures: The imports for the year 1863, from all countries, amounted to 14,287,289,742 milreis; from Great Britain and British possessions they amounted to 7,220,990,500; and from Newfoundland to 274,283,822 milreis. The goods which entered Portugal for home consumption from Great Britain and British possessions amounted to considerably over one-half the entire importations from all other countries, while the exports to Great Britain and British possessions extended to nearly one-third of the entire export trade of the country. In the year 1863 the entire real value of produce imported into the United Kingdom from Portugal amounted to 2,333,8097., which sum exceeded that of the preceding year's returns by 293,4137.; that of 1861, by 370,9104; that of 1860, by 453,6601; that of 1859, by 823,0697.; and that of 1858, by 1,254,034. Wine, as already stated, is the chief article of Portuguese exports. The official returns relative to the wine trade of the Douro district show that in 1852 the number of pipes produced was 92,090, of which 35,833 were approved by the tasters as exportable; in 1862 the total quantity produced was 71,592 pipes, of which 54,291 were approved. The registered produce of the vintage of 1863 in the Douro district amounted to 82,866 pipes. There were exported from Oporto in 1860, 27,860 pipes, of which 22,416 were sent to Great Britain. In 1861 the exports were 26,908 pipes, of which 22,945 reached Great Britain; and in 1862 the exports reached 29,711 pipes, the number sent to Great Britain being 24,832. A large proportion of the residue was exported to British possessions. Till the recent construction of a line of railway = = the female as well as male line, but with preference of the male in case of equal birthright. The constitution recognises three powers in the state, the legislative, executive, and moderating' authority, the two last of which reside in the sovereign and his responsible ministers. There are two legislative chambers, the Camara dos Pares,' or House of Peers, and the 'Camara dos Diputados,' or House of Commons, which are conjunctively called the General Cortes. The peers, unlimited in number, but actually comprising 115, are named for life by the sovereign, by whom also the president and vice-president of the first chamber are nominated. The peerage was formerly hereditary in certain families; but on May 27, 1864, the cortes passed a law abolishing hereditary succession. The members of the second chamber are chosen in direct election by all citizens possessing a clear annual income of 133 milreis, or 221. The deputies must have an income of at least 390 milreis, or 891. per annum; but lawyers, professors, physicians, or the graduates of any of the learned professions, need no property qualification. Continental Portugal is divided into 37 electoral districts, returning 154 deputies, to which Madeira and the Azores add 25. Each deputy has a remuneration of about 10s. a day during the session. The annual session lasts three months, and fresh elections must take place at the end of every four years. In case of dissolution, a new parliament must be called together within thirty days. The general cortes meet and separate at specified periods, without the intervention of the sovereign, and the latter has no veto on a law passed twice by both houses. All laws relating to finance and general taxation must originate in the chamber of deputies. from Lisbon to Oporto, and another line to Badajoz | dated July 5, 1852. The crown is hereditary in in Spain, there were scarcely any means of internal communication in Portugal. There is no navigable canal; and, till of late years, not a single road in Portugal was practicable for carriages for more than 20 or 30 m. from Lisbon. In fact, the only mode of travelling by land was in a litter, or on the back of a mule or horse; and in the wine country of the Douro, or in the province of Minho, two oxen sometimes took a whole day to convey a pipe of wine 5 or 6 m.; and to prevent the cart from being overturned, it was attended by 2 men. Accounts are kept in reis and milreis; the milrea contains 1,000 reis, and is worth about 4s. 6d. The dobrao or doubloon 31. 68. 6d.; the crusado about 2s. 6d. The lb. is 4,589 kilogr., or rather more than the lb. avoird.; the arroba = 32 lbs. ; the quintal 4 arrobas. The mayo for grain, &c. 24 bushels; the almudo = 44 gallons. The Portuguese foot is a little longer than the English. Constitution.-Like the peninsular kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, Portugal had anciently her cortes or assemblies of the states. One of these assemblies, held at Lamego in 1141, conferred the title of king on Alfonso Henriquez, who had two years previously defeated the Moors in the great battle of Ourique. The cortes at the same time enacted a law for regulating the succession to the throne, in which, among other things, it is laid down that females shall not be eligible to the erewn, though in the direct order of succession, if they have married a foreigner, and that their marrying a foreigner when on the throne shall be considered equivalent to an act of abdication. The powers of the cortes corresponded, in other respects, with those of similar assemblies in other countries; but their privileges and those of the sovereign were very ill defined; and the latter contrived, in the course of time, to engross all the powers of the state; the government of Portugal became, in all respects, as despotical as that of Spain; and the last convocation of the Cortes took place in 1697. (See L'Art de Veritier les Dates, part II. tom. vii. 1-40, 8vo. ed.) Justice is administered in the first instance by the Juizes de Fora; and appeals are made to the corregidors of the provs., and from these to the Casa de supplicação at Lisbon, and the Relação do porto at Oporto. All these tribunals are, however, subordinate to the royal court in Lisbon. Great From this period down to the administration of abuses are said to exist in almost every departthe Marquis de Pombal (1750-1776), every abusement, both in the judicial and administrative continued to multiply, and Portugal was distin- branches, the inadequacy of the salaries leading guished only by the imbecility of her government, to the acceptance of bribes. the power and profligacy of the nobility and clergy, and the poverty and indolence of her people. The Marquis de Pombal suppressed the order of the Jesuits and confiscated their estates; he also suppressed some of the more oppressive privileges of the nobility and clergy, and effected various important reforms in several departments of the administration. In other respects, however, his policy evinced the narrowest and most illiberal views; and, on his dismissal from power, most part of the old abuses in the government revived, and the country continued in its former state of apathy and abasement. The events connected with the great war in the peninsula, the emigration of the court to Brazil, the long continuance of the English armies in the country, the organisation of the Portuguese army on an improved footing, and the influence of the changes in Spain, laid the foundations of a new order of things. The nation was dissatisfied with the continued residence of the court in Brazil, which, in fact, made Portugal a dependency of the latter, and the wish for some fundamental changes in the frame of the government became general. At length, in August, 1820, a revolution broke out, and a free constitution was soon after established. The present fundamental law of the kingdom is the Carta de Ley,' granted by King Pedro IV., April 29, 1826, and altered by an additional act, The religion of Portugal is the Roman Catholic, unalloyed with any tamt of Protestantism, but contributing but little, if anything, to the morality of the people. The Inquisition no longer interferes with freedom of conscience, having been abolished in 1821. The Portuguese church is under the jurisdiction of a patriarch, with extensive powers; three archbishops, and fourteen bishops. Notwithstanding the hostility of the Marquis de Pombal to the monks, who used to say of them that they were la vermine la plus dangereuse qui puisse ronger un état, their numbers previously to the late revolutions were estimated at about 8,000, and the revenue of the conventual establishments was supposed to exceed 1,200,000L a year. However, an end has been put to this state of things: the monks at present have to support themselves as they best may, on a small stipend that has been allowed them, and most of their property has been confiscated. The language of Portugal is merely a dialect of the Spanish, differing but little more from the latter than Scotch from English. Education is, at once, little diffused and of bad quality. There is a university at Coimbra; besides which, seventeen high seminaries and numerous schools exist, affording instruction to about 33,000 pupils. With the exception of Camoens, few Portuguese authors are known beyond the limits of their country. |