Page:Historical account of Lisbon college.djvu/78

 and the mighty ocean could be studied in its ever varying moods.

With this scene will be associated in their minds another much favoured resort, to which the discriminating taste of the inhabitants has given the name of Bella Vista, or beautiful view. Here from the summit of the vine-clad hills, which rise well nigh perpendicularly from the bosom of the noble river, there lies spread out to view a picture of surpassing beuaty [sic]. Far to the right Lisbon may be seen rising stately and beautiful from the very margin of the magnificent Tagus, whilst on the extreme left tower the rugged crags of Cintra crowned by its beautiful convent and palace, and forming a back ground to the receding tiers of hills, which stretch far away to its base. The centre of the picture is formed by the gently sloping hills of Alcantara, profusely studded with villas, whose brilliant tints blending with the more sober shades of the various coloured soils which form the surface of the undulating country around, combine to produce a scene fairy-like in its loveliness. In the fore ground may be seen gracing the banks of the intervening river the picturesque forms of the Castle of Belem, and the beautiful gothic church and convent of the Jéronimites, flanked on either side by numerous snow-white villages which impart life and beauty to an exquisite picture.

But the pleasurable memories associated with the &quot;Quinta time&quot; will, probably, for the great majority, centre round the delightful sea bathing, for which the proximity of the Quinta to the mouth of the river offers every facility. In such a climate as that of Portugal, in which the summer heats usually linger far into September, the delights of sea bathing, at least to English youths, will scarcely admit of exaggeration; and the name of Portinho, or Little Port, where this bracing and health giving exercise is each morning indulged in, will ever awaken in Lisbon students the most pleasing recollections.

Apart from the beneficial effects upon health thence