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and, taking off my hat, made him a low bow, which had the desired effect, for he put down his rifle and beckoned to me to move off. I obeyed his order with the utmost alacrity: I only wish I could now get over six-foot walls half as speedily as I did on that occasion. I learned afterwards that the building which I had observed in the field was a powder magazine, over which the soldier was sentry.

Becoming tired of waiting in Oporto, I had decided on riding with a guide to Vigo, to meet the steamer on her calling there; but just as I was setting off, the flag announcing that she was in sight made me give up the land journey, and hurry down to the Foz ; where I was informed the mail boat would embark the passengers for Lisbon at a place on the shore about two miles from the mouth of the river. This point, called the Rocks, forms a projecting pier from which it is safe to communicate with passing ships, unless the sea be very rough.

While waiting, I wandered about the little town, and had an opportunity of learning practically the truth of the old adage, that you should never interfere in the quarrels of man and wife.

Passing along a narrow street, I heard loud voices, and the screams of a woman issuing from a house, the door of which being open, I entered, and there saw a man in a fearful passion, holding his wife by the hair and beating her, while she resisted

A WIFE'S INGRATITUDE.

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vigorously. I hesitated for a moment whether it were not best to let them fight it out; but gallantry overcoming prudence, I watched till the man's back was towards me, when I rushed in, seized him by the throat à la garrotte, and, placing my knee to the small of his back, held him so that he could not move. Flattering myself that the lady would feel the deepest gratitude, I looked to her for approbation, when, to my dismay, she cast upon me a look of fury; and seeing her clench her hands, I thought it was time to be off, so, giving her beloved a push into her arms, I rushed out of the door, scarcely halting till I found myself in the boat, protected from the sweet pair by twelve stout rowers. They soon put me on board the steamer Iberia, which landed me the next morning in Lisbon.

Although shown in the general statistical tables, I insert here the consumption of port since 1831, and the percentage which it bore to all other kinds.

In 1831, consumption 2,707,734 gallons, 43.58 per cent.

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There are also tables marked A, and B, both of

which I have prefaced with a few explanatory remarks.

This shows the shipping prices at Oporto, the number of pipes shipped to England, and the amount of duty on a pipe in each year, from 1787 to 1863. Wines have been shipped at much lower prices than the quotations, but these represent the circulars of the principal firms, for the qualities to which they attach their brands.

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The shipments during the first six months of 1864 have been 18,270, so that if the same is continued till December 31; they will have amounted to 36,540 pipes during the twelve months.

CHAPTER III.

LISBON AND LISBON WINE.

Lisbon-Belem-'Charley' Napier-Don Miguel-Don Pedro-Espoz y Mina-O'Connell-Sacavem-Calcavellos-Arintɔ- TermoColares-Lavradio-Bucellas-Cintra-A Bottle of Colares-Conde de Piedade-St. Ubes-Estramadura-Memorandum of Tasting— Letter from Lisbon in 1806.

LISBON! what a change has taken place in the importation of wines from that place!

It may be seen in my remarks upon port, that a large portion of the shipments from Portugal were formerly from this district; and some idea may be formed of the extent of that trade by the perusal of the following letter dated in 1798.

I have also mentioned that about the same period it was the daily habit, among City men, to go to Tom's, or some other coffee-room, to have bread and cheese and a gill of lisbon, as it is now to go to Garraway's for a sandwich and a glass of sherry. Old wine merchants will remember when constant orders used to be received for lisbon; while now they do not probably receive one in six months.

It shows how fashions unaccountably change; for there is scarcely a better or more agreeable wine than real, old, rich, mellow, or dry lisbon; but its

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name is nearly forgotten, since nothing passes now that has not the name of sherry, however coarse much of this is, and not to be compared to good lisbon. With the exception of an order for a quarter-cask, some months ago, I have not been asked for it for years past, while among our forefathers it was the favourite white wine. The city of Lisbon was at one time second only to London for commerce; but this has dwindled away, and it is melancholy to look on its splendid houses and streets, showing what it was in former times, and the still existing remains of churches and palaces, rent by the earthquake of 1756.

On passing the fort of Belem, we came upon a view of the town and its precipitous streets, varied by numerous churches and spires, all glittering in a brilliant morning sun. The sight, as we passed Belem, reminded me of the late 'Charley' Napier, who dined with me the day before he set off on his daring resolution to take Don Miguel's fleet. With several active supporters of Don Pedro, there was the Spanish guerilla chief, Espoz y Mina, so renowned in the old Spanish War, and so denounced at a later period by O'Connell, for shooting the mother of Cabrera.

Napier was a slovenly-looking man: his trousers, for instance, had been once white, but were now very old and yellow-looking. He was fond of saying eccentric things, and of pretending to be in a great passion, while it was evident he was merely affecting

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