T RAV

96 TRAVELS IN EUltOPE.an adequate one to mask the work and garrison?Elvas and its ad..jacent works can hold a considerable garrison; and were a considerableforce stationed to the west to support it, they would seriously retardan inv~sion.Almeida, too, is described as one of the honours ofthe engineering science; and, to judge by its position in the map, withstiJl more reason.RouTE."",-Portugal to the tra,rellercertainly, and to the sojournerprobably, is, comparatively with Spain in general, a terrestrial paradise.The nights are no less delightful here: indeed. travelling inis repayment in itse]f. The brightness of thenow-full moon, the clearnessandcalmness of·the air, the white quintas (country-hauses), thewaving cypresses, the tinkling rills by each habitation,-all assill1ilate,aU harrnonize to the lover of Natnre, whether denuded or embellished.Such at least is what mast strikes by night.In the day-timQ thegrandest forest scellery, the devious tracts under open groves of oak,with the heights around, aIl turreted, present prospects more sublime,and more extensive. The devious ways, neverthelessihOWC\'icrpi:c.tqresque,have theÏr inconvenience tao; for a personis liahle to lose hisway among t'hem: and such turned out to he the case in the presentinstance; accompanied, unfortunately, with the loss ofguides, baggage,and canteens. The consequence was, that the world was a11 beforethe travellers, where to choose; and the whole 11igbt also for them toramble in: and the most was made of the circumstance in its way. Theoccasional cries of berds and shepherds tantalized, but avaiJed nothing.It was impossible to get them to· hear; but, .had this eVel) been succeededin, it would have been an equal difficulty to get them to understand.As to the salubrity of c1imate, however, the Dight produceda cODvincing proof of the confidence to be placed in it. Some\\'ibatshone out brilli(l~tJywhite under themoonbeams in the ce~tr~ of a fal-••