PROSPECTS OF PORTUGAL. 185 



capital of his fathers in triumph, and that subsequent contest which 

 is ruining the country, and dislocating every social tie, would have 

 been happily avoided. 



Those who imagine that the dawn of the constitutional system will 

 be the harbinger of peace and internal tranquillity, know nothing of 

 the discordant political elements of the Portuguese nation. There 

 are at present in that country four distinct political parties, who hate 

 each other with the most rancorous animosity. 1st, The most nu- 

 merous, come the apostolicals; beaten in the field, they will rally, and 

 shew a most formidable front in the Cortes, and embarrass, by their 

 cabals and intrigues, the march of government. 2d, The moderate 

 constitutional party, headed by Palmella and his friends, who may be 

 said to constitute the juste milieu of Portugal. 3d, The Brazilian ex- 

 Emperor's party, who wish to place Don Pedro on the throne they are 

 the weakest of all. And lastly, the liberal or democratic party, the par- 

 tisans of the constitution of 1820 and its single chamber it is com- 

 posed of men who take the mouvement party of France as their 

 model, and who aim at nothing less than a radical re-organization of 

 the social edifice. A single glance at these discordant elements must 

 convince the most superficial observer, that over the future destinies 

 of Portugal there hovers a cloud of dark uncertainty that her ad- 

 vance in political regeneration will be impeded by the fierce conflicts 

 of rival factions. The present race of Lusitanians, from the force of 

 previous habits, are totally unprepared for the institutions of freedom, 

 and so forcibly have all the social ties been rent asunder by the long 

 continuance of the present contest, that years must elapse ere the 

 wounds of Portugal can be healed, and the fiery wrath of party passion 

 be allayed. It is only then that the tree of political regeneration will 

 take root on a soil rankling for ages with the weeds of despotism and 

 superstition. Then, instead of receiving constitutions from the hands 

 of their rulers, Europe may behold the Portuguese framing one 

 themselves, founded on their wants, and applicable to their social 

 condition. 



The highly entertaining and instructive volumes of Colonel Hodges, 

 which have called our attention to this topic, are written throughout 

 in a spirit of candour, liberality, and high-minded forbearance. None 

 but those who have served with the Portuguese can feel all that the 

 gallant Colonel had to encounter from their paltry ignoble jealousy 

 of foreigners 



" A nation swol'n with ignorance and pride, 

 Who lick yet loath the sword 

 That saves them from the wrath 

 Of Gaul's unsparing lord." 



M. M. No. 92 2 B 



