SECTION XXXIX. OF PORTUGAL. THE kingdom of Portugal lies on the West of Spain, and is divided into six Provinces, viz. 1. Estramadura 2. Beira 4. Tralos Montes 3. Entre Minhoe Douro 6. Algarve, which tho' the smallest province, has the title of kingdom. Portugal is about 300 miles long, and 100 broad. 1. Of ESTRAMADURA, the chief town is Lisbon, on the Tagus, the capital of Portugal; an extensive, populous, and wealthy city, built like Old Rome, on seven little hills, and contains 200,000 inhabitants. The wine called Lisbon, comes from hence. This city was destroyed in 1755, by a most dreadful earthquake, but has since been rebuilt in an elegant and commodious manner. 2. Of BEIRA, the chief town is Coimbra. 3. Of ENTRE MINHO E DOURO, the chief towns are, Oporto, and Viana, both on the sea coast. Oporto, next to Lisbon, is the largest city in Portugal, and carries on a great trade in the wine we call Port. 4. Of TRALOS MONTES, the chief towns are, Miranda, and Villa Real. 5. Of ALANTEJO, the chief town is Lagos. 6. Of ALGARVE, the chief town is Faro. SECTION SECTION XXX. OF PORTUGAL. THE principal Rivers of Portugal are, the Douro, Tagus, and Guadiana, already mentioned in Spain. Their Religion, Government, Language, and Character, are much like those of Spain. The literature of both countries is at a very low ebb. Portugal was anciently called Lusitania. When the Moors of Africa made themselves masters of the greatest part of Spain, they penetrated also into this Country, where they established governors, who made themselves kings. After many fruitless attempts by the kings of Leon, it was at length conquered, and became an earldom to Spain; but A. D. 1139, Alonso first assumed the title of king of Portugal. His successors continued it till the year 1580, when it was seized upon by Philip II. king of Spain, after a war of two or three years; but in 1640, the people rebelled, shook off the Spanish yoke, and elected for their king the Duke of Braganza, who took the name of John IV. in whose family it has ever since remained, independent of Spain. The present sovereign is Maria-Frances Isabella; but by reason of a temporary derangement in her majesty's intellects, the government devolved upon her son, John-Maria-Joseph-Louis, prince of Brasil. The The title of Portugal is, " Most faithful Majesty *" The eldest Son is, "Prince of Brasil." The foreign Settlements of the Portuguese are of immense value. In Asia, they have the island of Goa, on the Malabar coast, and some other places; and Macao, near China. In Africa, the Madeira and Cape de Verd islands; some other small islands; and several forts and factories. In South America, Brasil; from whence they bring vast riches. The Azores, or Western islands between Portugal and America. The Portuguese were the first who found a passage to the East Indies, by way of the Cape of Good Hope, A. D. 1498. Vertot's "Revolutions of Portugal" will give considerable information respecting this country; and Mr. Murphy's " Views of Portugal," is a work of much merit, and may be depended upon. The royal family of Portugal, in order to avoid the tyranny of Buonaparte, sailed from Lisbon to the Brazils, in November, 1807. SECTION SECTION XXXI. OF ITALY. ITALY is a large Peninsula, shaped like a boot, and washed on three sides by the Mediterranean. The upper or Northern part is contiguous to France, Switzerland, and Germany: from all which it is separated by the Alps. Its division into 14 States, or Governments, is as follows: The Northern contains 9 Countries, viz. 1. Savoy 2. Piedmont 3. Montferrat 4. Parma. formerly subject to the King of Sardinia, now annexed to the French Empire. 5. Milan, partly subject to Hungary, and partly to the King of Sardinia. 6. Modena, subject to its own duke. 7. Mantua, subject to Austria. 8. Venice, including the country of Istria. 9. The Republic of Genoa *. The Middle Division contains 4 Countries, viz. 10. The Dukedom of Tuscany, now united to the French Empire. 11. The Pope's Territories or lands of the Church. * In the year 1805 these Republics were erected into a kingdom, and the Emperor of France assumed the title of King of Italy. 8 12. The 12. The Republic of Lucca. 13. The Republic of St. Marino. The Southern Division contains, 14. The Kingdom of Naples. Italy is about 600 miles long, and its greatest breadth about 400 miles; but most part of it is not so much as half that breath. It lies between 38° and 47° North Latitude. SECTION XXXII. OF ITALY. 1. OF SAVOY*, the chief town is Chamberry, 2. Of PIEDMONT †, the chief towns are, Turin, and Nice, on the coast. Turin is one of the finest cities in Europe, though not very large, and was the capital of his Sardinian Majesty; who was so absolute, that his revenues consisted of what he pleased to lay upon his subjects! Piedmont carries on a large trade in silks, which are reckoned the best in Italy. 3. Of MONTFERRAT, the chief town is Casal. *The department of Mont Blanc. + Now divided into six departments, viz. IVREA or DOIRE, MARENGO, PO or ERIDAN, SESIA, STURA, and Tanaro; of which the chief towns are, Ivrea, Alexandria, Turin, Vercelli, Coni, and Asti. The |