524 
A Dittionary of the Portuguefe Lan- 
guage, &c. &e. - r 
We pafs over in filence feveral others 
relating merely to Portuguefe Literature, 
which is not perhaps deferving of great 
celebrity, but to which the academy of 
Lifbon calls the attention of its country- 
men, either with a view of pointing out 
to them the models (few in number) after 
which they ought to form themfelves, or 
the errors which they fhould be ftudious 
to avoid. 
Befides this, the academy offers prizes 
as an encouragement to ftudy, and to the 
progrefs of ufeful knowledge. An idea 
may be formed of its view by the follow- 
ing lift of the principal fubje&ts which it 
has propofed, fince the year 1733. 
The phyfical and economical defcrip- 
tion of fome diftri&, or confiderable di- 
vifion of Portugal, or fome of its foreign 
poffeflions, accompanied by obfervations 
ufeful to the agriculture and induftry of 
the nation.. 
What is the beft manner of cultivating, 
Improving, and preferving vines; and 
what is the mof ‘efficacious means of in- 
creafing the reputation, and the produce 
of that important branch of the trade of 
Portugal ? 
The academy defires that thofe who 
may difcufs this matter, will indicate the 
different kinds of vines, with their ref 
pective names, characterized by the quality 
of their fruit, according to the manner 
of the Abbé Rozier, Duhamel, and other 
agricultural naturalifts; the different 
methods of making wine, both in and out 
of the country ; the means of preferving, 
fining, and preparing it for conveyance, 
as alio of diftinguifhing when it is adul- 
terated, &c. 
To examine the inftruments of agricul- 
ture ufed in Portugal, and to compare 
them with thofe of other countries, fhew- 
ing at the fame time how the latter may be 
adapted to the fituation of the Portuguefe, 
and to the nature of their foil. 
‘To give the beft-drawing of a veffel, 
calculated to: fail with the greateft poffi- 
ble degree of velocity, accompanying the 
drawing with plans, feétions, and views 
of its principal parts. 
To determine by the moft {peedy, and 
certain methed, the courfé and diftance 
failed by a thip in a given time. 
What are the phyfical defe&ts in our 
method of falting fith, which render it 
lefs nourifhirg, and moredifficult to pre- 
ferve, and by what means this important 
branch of our fubfiftence, and of our 
eommerce, may be improved. 
‘To determine the artificial means cal- 
Retrofpect of Foreign Literature... Sciences, Fe. 
[Sup.. 
culated to produce the preateft quantity 
of nitre. 
To indicate the manner of finding the 
equations of planets by obfervation, and 
of employing it, particularly in deter- 
mining the phafes of the moon. — 
Yo give the beft Portuguefe tranfla- 
tion of the Georgics of Virgil, either in 
verfe, or profe, adding thereto, what as 
yet has been done by no tranflator, notes 
and explanations eoncerning the Portu-_ 
guefe in particular, and prefenting no- 
thing but things applicable to their 
country, or which have already been at- 
tempted with fuccefs. 
To give a medico-topographical de-— 
{cription of Lifbon, indicating the pro- 
perties of its climate and fituation ; ana- 
lyfing its atmofphere, the variations of 
the fame, the food of its.inhabitants, and _ 
their general manner of living; and col- 
le&ting authentic fats, which may lead | 
to a knowledge of the difeafes of that city, 
_ either endemic, or epidemical. 
To compofe the beft effay on nervous 
and hyfterical affections. To indicate 
the influence that may be exercifed over 
that difeafe, by the ufual education, 
manners, food, and drefs of children, and 
the changes which ought to be made, in 
order to render them more robuft and 
healthy; the whole proved by experi- 
ments. E : 
To enquire into the canfes of the dif- 
eafe, common at Rio Janeiro, and which 
begins to manifeft itfelf at the Bay of 
Todos y Santos ; being a farinaceous tetter . 
which does not feemto be endemic. Te 
indicate the means of cure and preven- 
tion, &c. 
To give an account of the prefent ftate 
of Portuguefe Literature, poimting out 
what are the charateriftics of good 
tafte, either in {peaking or writing, &c. 
Te devife a mode of f{peech applicable 
to the nature of the Portuguefe language, 
elucidating each precept, by examples 
“drawn from ancient and modern writers. 
To compofe a philofophical diétionary 
of the Portugvefe language. | 
To guide thofe who may undertake 
this tafk, the academy advifes them te 
ftudy the work of Locke upon the Human 
Underftanding ; the Worksof Condillac ; 
the Phyfical Explanation of the Senfes by 
Hartley; the Grammaire Univerfelle ef 
-Beauzeé ; the Works of Dumarfais ; the 
Lettres de Diderot fur les Sourds et Muets 5 
the articles in the Encyclopedia concerning 
grammar, and all the other works that 
have any relation to the philofophy of 
language, 
& ‘ 
Te 
