Page:Lisbon and Cintra, Inchbold, 1907.djvu/62

Rh feet high, mounted upon a massive pedestal which bears on its south face an imposing bronze sculpture representing the Genius of Independence, on the north side a similar figure symbolizing Victory. On the four faces of the obelisk the names of the chief battles of the campaign are engraved in bronze, while sculptured wreaths, laurel leaves, war trophies and other symbols decorate the base.

The Avenida da Liberdade, though now the Champs Elysées of Lisbon, was once the Valverde of olden days, that green valley between the hills down which the country people made their way to the market in the Campo de Valverde, the site of the present Praça dos Restauradores. Under Pombaline administration a public garden was laid out at the lower end, enclosed first of all with a blank wall, and then with iron railings, a change which by inviting entrance to the shady walks and flowers within converted the spot into a favourite promenade of the townsfolk. Then entered the active spirit of progress into the municipal powers of Lisbon, and under the presidency of Rosa Araujo the new streets near the lower town, and the splendid Avenida sprang into being. A writer on All Souls' Day of last year reminded his fellow-citizens of their debt of gratitude to this former president by calling attention to the neglected tomb of one of "Lisbon's most worthy and illustrious public servitors."

Avenues of trees, flowering shrubs, palm trees, and many varieties of sub-tropical plants, with fountains, rockeries, kiosks, flower beds, decorate the continuous gardens which separate the three thoroughfares of the boulevard. For a mile and a half these extend constituting a fascinating promenade even in winter-time, for the exotics with their plumed crests, graceful fronds, or barbed spears, supply the verdure, and the deep blue and sunlight of cloudless skies the atmosphere of summer. In the spring the acacias 38