Page:Lisbon and Cintra, Inchbold, 1907.djvu/39

Rh Olhos d'aguæ—eyes or springs of water—prevails in this country as in Egypt or Syria, and the old Moorish name for fountain still survives in the pretty word, Chafariz. To watch the unstinting flow of these public springs it might readily be imagined that water in Lisbon is never less plentiful than it is to-day. But that is a matter depending on the rainfall, and if a few dry seasons come in succession, alarm is raised lest the supply should become too limited for the needs of the city. The municipal authorities have been blamed for improvidence and for allowing the waters of several springs to run away unused into the Tagus. The Chafariz do Rei, a public fountain on the east city front was closed because the poor people washed their clothes in it and the stationary water instead of being cleared away, was declared insanitary, the outlet was stopped up, and the water allowed to flow into the river. There has lately been an agitation to procure the unseating of this and other springs, and for the storing of the precious water instead of its continual waste. Every drop has become valuable in the nation's eyes owing to a lack of sufficient rain for several seasons.

The lavish use of the water of Lisbon is also seen in the perfection of growth to which gardeners bring their plants and flowers. Few, if any, capitals can show such a number of public gardens and open spaces planted out with such a wealth of trees and shrubs as Lisbon. The nearness of Africa is brought constantly to mind. The tropical luxuriance of Brazil, the exotic flora of Madeira and the Azores are reproduced in the beauty of the palms, acacias, aloes and flowering trees and plants innumerable. The sites of these delicious oases of greenery and rare colour have been chiefly chosen on the high places of the city, whence the eye can feast on a variety of pictures in which the colours of the massed houses blend into an 19