COIMBRA. Ill 



Then we visited the great hall where degrees are conferred, 

 and our cicerones bade us observe the jKjrtraits of tlie 

 Kings of Portugal, which adorned the upper walls of the 

 building in an unbroken chain, and very kindly pointed 

 out for our edification the more prominent and distinguislied 

 amongst them. We did not ascend the great clock tower, 

 which occupies the highest point on this elevated spot, 

 but contented ourselves with admiring the magnificent 

 view from the terrace in front of the University; and 

 surely no one could desire a more commanding position, 

 whence to take in at a single glance the city, the river, 

 and the plain at our feet. 



On leaving the University proper, and making our way 

 to its museum of natural history, I was so fortunate as to 

 ask the direction of a student, who not only chanced to be 

 a perfect master of the English language, but, evidently 

 delighted at the opportunity of a conversation with En- 

 glishmen, volunteered to accompany us ; and subsequently, 

 after a short absence in order to make his excuses for 

 non-attendance at lecture, returned to us and remained 

 with us above an hour, lionising us over the buildings and 

 giving us a great deal of information regarding the Uni- 

 versity. He was a most pleasing specimen of an educated 

 young Portuguese, and he volunteered to visit us in En- 

 gland, an offer to which we very cordially assented, and 

 sincerely hope he will some day fulfil. He rejoiced in the 

 name of ' Francesco do Valle Coetla Calvas,' which he 

 wrote in my pocket-book, and desired me by no means to 

 forget. It was instructive as well as amusing to see how 

 cordially he despised freshmen, and how he prided himself 

 on his position as a student of nearly five years' standing ; 

 indeed, he naively remarked to us, that had he been of 

 junior rank, he should not have dared to encounter the 

 mockery of his companions by thus joining himself to 

 foreigners; but as he was among the seniors, he could 



