176 Portugal Illustrated. [Aueusr, 
Largo da Feira, is the large Benedictine nunnery, in whose beautiful chapel 
the sublimest music is frequently heard. 
“ There is a fine fountain of excellent water in the Rua de bello Monte, 
which is to the left up a steep street, forming the continuation in a northern 
direction of the Rua des Domingos, and another beautiful fountain in the 
Praca de Santa Theresa. From the summit of the elegant tower of the 
Clerigos, a most commanding view may be obtained over the town and 
neighbouring wooded heights, the windings of the Douro, a large extent of 
coast, and the Atlantic ocean. The view from the northerly terrace of the 
Serra convent above the left bank of the Douro, comprises the public and 
private buildings of the city, and the remains of the old town wall. The 
corridors of the convent are extremely long, as may be supposed from the 
almost interminable line of building which looks towards Porto. From the 
eastern terrace, at the end of the corridor, a little chapel is distinguished at 
about six miles distance, perched nearly on the loftiest summit of the Serra, 
in which are the coal-mines of Vallonga.” 
The monks of the Senor convent, are of the Augustine order, and 
possess very considerable lands, which, in common with most of the 
demesnes of the monasteries in this country, are laid out— 
“Into fields, pleasure gardens, orchards, orange and lemon groves, with 
the addition of fountains and an aqueduct. The rigour of their discipline 
never permits them to quit the paradise in which they are confined; but 
they have their rabbit-warren, and preserves for game, which, with their 
religious occupations and employment in the surrounding grounds, serve to 
beguile the time. We took a walk one evening in the gardens with the 
prior, a venerable old man, who was distinguished from his brethren by 
wearing a ring, set with a large amethyst, on the middle finger of his right 
hand, and a large silver cross worn round the neck. 
‘* Passing under the Ramada, or walk of vines, which arch over head on 
trellis-work, supported by rude granite columns about nine feet high, we 
came to a piece of ground, the extent of twenty acres, situated to the north- 
east of the convent, and this year bearing a crop of Indian corn, which is 
estimated, according to the prior’s statement, to contain about twenty-seven 
loads of produce, each load being reckoned forty alcaldes of corn, and the 
alcalde to be worth a crusado novo, or ninety shillings the load in our money. 
Thence we ascended to the summit of the aqueduct, which runs down to the 
convent, and passes over a mill that is worked by the superfluous water ; and 
enjoyed from that elevated position a still more superb view to the east, of the 
line of high pointed mountains in the distance, and a conically shaped hill, 
apparently of white granite, with the little chapel on its summit called San 
Cosme; anoble reach of the river, and the buildings on the right bank, 
including a large untenanted mansion, called the Quinta de Freijo, to the 
bishop’s public school, as it is called, and which is not yet completed. Down 
the river again to the westward, a fine expanse of water is seen, with part of 
the city of Porto in the centre of the view, the remainder being intercepted 
by the convent groves and buildings. 
“* But the most interesting prospect by far is obtained from a small chapel 
advanced on a terrace, which immediately fronts the west, and overhangs 
Villa Nova and the immense magazines in which the Douro wines are depo- 
sited, commanding the whole city, a considerable circuit of the river, the 
cheerful hill of Gaia, with the remains of an old building on its summit, falsely 
reputed a Castello dos Mouros, a little below Villa Nova, and apparently 
locking up the Douro, as you will find in the sketch which accompanies this 
letter. It is by far the prettiest object seen in the neighbourhood of Porto. 
To the right again, the view falls upon the bridge of boats, the vessels of 
different nations at anchor below it, and the new line of quay which runs 
parallel with the right bank of the river.” 
We have already spoken of this view, which is one of the most inte- 
resting given in the volume. It was taken, the author says, from a 
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