176 A SPRING TOUR IN PORTUGAL. 



tained, to that which he formed of the levies of Spain, 

 which, throughout the campaign, were his constant annoy- 

 ance and disappointment. Of the strength of Portugal, 

 too, the Duke had a high opinion: indeed, so well did he 

 think of the natural defences of the country, that he used 

 to declare, ' if I hold Portugal, France cannot and will not 

 hold Spain.' But there was reason enough for the affec- 

 tion he manifestly entertained for that kingdom. When 

 he first arrived in the Peninsula, to take command of the 

 allied troops, it was at Lisbon that he landed, amidst the 

 acclamations of the people. Then the famous lines of 

 Torres Vedras, a most masterly work, conceived by a mas- 

 ter mind, stretching no less than forty miles across the 

 country, and declared by competent authority to be ' the 

 finest specimen of a fortified position ever effected,' re- 

 flected impenetrable renown on the British general, and 

 gave him a secure basis of operations in the interior. 

 Then every portion of the country was in turn the scene 

 of his victories. At Rolipa, where the first action in the 

 Peninsular war was fought, he vanquished Laborde in 1808. 

 At Vimeiro, very shortly after, the enemy was again de- 

 feated; while Junot was beaten before Lisbon. In 1809, 

 Soult was precipitately driven with great loss from Oporto : 

 and in 1810 Massena and Ney were routed at Bussaco. 

 These are all glorious names imprinted on the memories of 

 the British army : but enough of military matters ; let us 

 return to our reflections on Portugal under a more peace- 

 ful aspect. 



With regard to climate, Portugal enjoys a very high 

 reputation : for though the heat is at times excessive, it 

 is always tempered by fine breezes from the sea; and at 

 all seasons the weather is as mild and tlie air as healthy 

 as may be desired. In this respect it possesses a very 

 decided advantage over the interior of Spain, where want 

 of shade and water render the soil so parched and thirsty. 



