Journal of the Eighty-third Regiment.

The vallies in the immediate neighbourhood of the city, which are of an extremely productive nature, at all times appear covered with a rich vegetation.

The mountains around Coimbra are of a coarse-grained sand-stone, mixed with slate and calx; there are, however, much greater proportions of calcareous rock to the southward than to the northward of the Mondego, where the mountains have a connection with the Louzao, and those again fall within the more important range of the Estrella.

Below Coimbra the Mondego divides itself into several branches, and during the winter season swells so considerably, that it inundates a very great extent of land, which it renders fertile, but, at the same time, very unwholesome; because the water stagnates and forms marshes, whence, in the great heats, baneful exhalations arise and infect the air.

Like almost all the great towns of Portugal, Coimbra is built on the slope of a very escarped height, with a large river winding along the base. The city is not seen, on coming from Leiria, before reaching the verge of the height beyond Cruz de Marocos; thence the sight, as it very suddenly opens, is magnificent and surprising; for, in addition to local advantages, it is adorned with numerous monastries and churches; but the interior of the town does by no means answer the idea, which persons, from its external appearance, are tempted to form of it :-quite the contrary; for the streets are narrow, uneven, winding, badly paved, dirty, and many of them so steep, that it is difficult to ascend them in rainy weather.

There are no other squares in this city than the small one in front of the Corregidor's palace, and that still smaller in front of the Dominican convent; nor is there any public walk but that on the terrace of the Augustin convent.

Coimbra, which, in 415, was founded on the ruins of a Roman station, is a very large city, and, from various inscriptions on the walls of several ancient structures, appears to have supported repeated sieges before Portugal recovered its independence from the Moors; it was also the second residence of the Kings, Guimaraes being the first. In very early times it was fortified in the Gothic manner, of which the walls, gates, and a few towers, are still existing, though in a very ruinous condition. At present it cannot be regarded as a strong position, although some advantage might be taken of it to defend the passage of the Mondego, as the banks of that river, just here, rise very suddenly, and are, in many spots, particularly shelvy and difficult of access. Now the Mondego rises in the easternmost branch of the Sena de Estrella, which skirts the lofty flat of Guarda; thence it passes by Faya, Celorico, Fornos, Mengualde, and Azere. The current throughout is rapid, and, after heavy rains, the bed is very wide. It is navigable from the junction of the Alva to its embouchure, near Figueira, where it forms a spacious open

Journal of the Eighty.third Regiment.

Coimbra is the capital of Beira, and a bishopric. It contains me parishes, eleven convents, eighteen collegiate endowments, a Caza de Miserecordia, an hospital, 3000 houses, and about 10,000 inhabitants. It is the residence of a Provedor, Corregidor, and a Juiz de Fora. It has linen and woollen manufactories, besides a great number of potteries. Many toys and utensils are likewise made by its inhabitants out of bone or horn, which soon find way into the most remote corners of the kingdom; yet, notwithstanding these resources, its centrical position, and its navigable river, the trading part of the town's-people are far from wealthy.

The most remarkable buildings at Coimbra are the churches of Santa Fe and Santa Cruz; the first is the cathedral; the second was built by Alonso the First, in 1139, and contains the tombs of the two earliest Kings of Portugal. The monastry of St. Francis, and the nunnery of Sta. Clara, are likewise handsome structures. The university, which is the only only one in the kingdom, is in the upper part of the town; attached to it is an observatory, a botanical garden, a valuable collection of surgical instruments, a chemical laboratory, a school of anatomy, and a cabinet of natural history. The university is indebted to the great Marquis of Pombal for its best regulations, and it was also that nobleman who had the Jesuits' college given to it.

The library, containing numerous voluminous works, is in an adjoining church, and has suffered very little, notwithstanding the various changes and revolutions which this unhappy kingdom has lately experienced.

The botanical garden, though small, is in excellent order, all the plants being picketted and labelled.

Independent of the population of Coimbra may be reckoned the students, who, in peaceable times, average 1500 yearly. When the French seized the country, the university was deserted, nor had it on our march through re-established itself. A short time previous to the landing of Sir A. Wellesley, at Maceira, the students assembled in tolerable numbers, and formed themselves into a military corps, which has been uniformly distinguished by a neatness of dress while in garrison, as well as by a conspicuous bravery and loyalty when in the field. Part of them were at the battles of Roliça and Vimeira. Many also accompanied the army in the present campaign, and the brigade of artillery attached to their corps, and, served by the students themselves, marched with the advance. Such of them as had been in the first engagements received appropriated medals, struck by the Portuguese Government for the express purpose.

In 1291, sixteen years after the first establishment of the university, it was transferred, by King Don Dinez,'from Lisbon hence. It was subsequently removed back again to Lisbon, but in 1537, King John the Third restored it to Coimbra, where it has remained ever since,

Journal of the Eighty-third Regiment.

The establishment consists of a rector, chosen by the King from among the ecclesiastics, and who, in course of time, is generally created a bishop. This rector presides in the college of deans, to whom are added two sindics, called Conservador and Orividor; there is likewise a secretary attached to them, as well as a committee of finance, composed of a professor of theology, a professor of law, and a professor of mathematics, independent of the treasurer, the clerk, and three deputies.

At the head of every brauch of instruction presides the Chancellor of the university; which last high office is always possessed by the Prior of the Convent of Augustin monks at Coimbra; this Chancellor awards the different degrees of classic honour, inspects the classes, and attends at the examination of students. The course of studies used to be nine months, namely, from September to May inclusive, and all jurisconsults, according to the letter of the law, must have studied at Coimbra, without which no person can exercise even the functions of a common justice of the peace.

From the movements of the army on the 7th of May, it became no longer doubtful whether we should soon be engaged in active operations, though the ultimate issue and object of the campaign was not so clearly known. Marshal Beresford directing the Portuguese army towards the province of Tras os Montes, and the river Douro, however, sufficiently indicated that the first intention of our Chief was to dislodge the enemy from Oporto.

The French, by their position at that city, and possession of the town and bridge of Amarante, together with the several garrison-towns along the river Lima, insured themselves not only full power over the province of Douro é Minho (a district fertile and rich in every article requisite for the support of an army) but also the perfect command over the whole line of the Douro and the Tamega, as well as a certain communication with Gallicia, together with an open good road to enter Tras os Montes, or penetrate into Beira, whenever the occasion might appear favourable to the plans of Marshal Soult, who was, however, just now obliged to scatter his forces very much to insure quiet possession of the province so that, though the main body of his army was in Oporto, his numbers were, in fact, but small, as a very large corps had been detached from it under Loison, to retain the bridge of Amarante, and the ford of Canavezes, on the river Tamega, while another brigade was distributed in Vianna, Ponte de Lima, and Braga, to secure the bridges, and maintain a communication over the Lima river with the fortress of Tuy on the Minho, which was occupied by a French battalion.

To snatch from the enemy these advantages was a matter of such difficulty, that the English army itself could, at first, scarcely believe that their General's design was to execute such a plan. The manner in which it was effected, and the success which attended the effort, however, merits the warmest and sincerest admiration.

Journal of the Eighty-third Regiment.

On the 7th of May, the brigade of Major-Generai Tilson, accompanied by two squadrons of cavalry, marched towards Lamego, where it was to cross the Douro, and unite with the Portuguese under Marshal Beresford, who was instructed to create a diversion in favour of the main body of the British, by an attack on the left flank of the enemy. The same day the advanced guard of the British army, consisting of the King's German Legion infantry, and Brigadier-General R. Stewart's brigade, flanked by Major-General Cotton's brigade of cavalry, moved forward, under the command of Lieutenant-General Paget. On the following day Major-General Hill also led his brigade forwards, and was the flanking column to the main body. A three pounder brigade of artillery marched with the cavalry, half a light six-pounder brigade, with Brigadier-General Stewart's corps, and another half light sixpounder brigade, with the King's German Legion. To Major-General Cotton's brigade was also attached a squadron of Portuguese cavalry, while the entire of the British cavalry, in Portugal, was placed under the command of Lieutenant-General Payne.

Among the general orders of the 6th of May, were the following:"Art. No. 11.—The Commauder of the forces recommends the companies of the 5th battalion of the 60th regiment to the particular care and attention of the general-officers commanding brigades to which they are attached; they will be found most useful, active, and brave troops in the field, and will add materially to the strength of the brigade. Major Davy will continue to superintend the economy and discipline of the whole battalion, for which purpose he will remain with that part of the army most convenient to him, with a view to that object.

"Art. No. 12.-Officers commanding brigades to which Portuguese troops are attached will be allowed each an interpreter, who will receive ensigns' pay, and allowances, as well as forage, for a horse.

"Art. No. 16.-Brigadier-General Fane will command the heavy brigade of cavalry, consisting of the 3d Dragoon-guards, and the 4th Dragoons.

"May 7th, Art. 3d.-Commanding officers of regiments will immediately, on finding any of their mens' ammunition damaged or deficient; report the circumstance to the general of their brigade, in order that requisitions may be made forthwith to replace it, and that those requisi tions may not be delayed until the moment when the corps marches.

"Art. No. 4.-The Commander of the forces concludes that the ammunition of each soldier is inspected at every parade.”

(To be continued.)

Military Correspondence.

MILITARY CORRESPONDENCE.

MILITARY EDUCATION.

SIR, A friend of mine, residing in a small country town, whose fortune and principles are alike independent, and whose benevolence of heart and philanthropy of sentiment makes him a leader in every project that is started for the benefit of mankind, or the comfort, happiness, and prosperity of his countrymen, having heard of the various proposals for educating the poor, caught at the idea, and influenced with the ardour of a kind and compassionate heart, communicated with some friendly inhabitants of the town, who jointly requested the vicar to convene a meeting of the inhabitants, "to take into consideration proposals for raising a subscription, and establishing a school for the education of the poor, on the plan of Dr. Bell." The proposals were generally approved by the greater part of the meeting, but they meet with some opposition from a description of persons whose circumstances entitled them to an opinion on the question. My friend much astonished me when he described these disapprovers of the plan to be gentlemen who had served in the navy.

That naval officers, who, from their pursuits in life, must have had their ideas expanded, and many of whom are gentlemen of liberal education, should be hostile to so charitable, so noble, so generous, and important an undertaking, so beneficial to the objects it embraced, and highly encouraging to both moral and religious conduct, I much regretted. But the motive, the solitary motive that these gentlemen could bring forward as objectionable, and to crush these laudable propositions, was, "That they had no idea of learning fellows to write and read, who had to labour for their bread: they never knew any good come out of it; they never knew a sailor worth having who could read and write. Those who could were always a set of mutinous or mischief-making vagabonds."

I should have scarce thought it possible that gentlemen, on so flimsy a reason, so poor and ignorant a plea, could not only with-hold their own individual support, but endeavour, by broaching sentiments at variance with reason, to deter others. The character of a sailor is that of liberality bordering on profusion: why, as in this instance, it should be frozen or congealed, is a matter of astonishment. There may not be, I admit, that immediate call for the exertions of talent on board a man of war as in most other situations; but I must confess there are occasions when a small stock of learning might benefit the sailor. In a religious view, the sacred writings would be open to him, and his hours of relaxation would not be mispent in reading the Bible, or works of other information. Those periods are now most generally squandered in pursuite