Rolling Motion Square was as giddy as
ever. It was a curious fancy to pave it in such a way as to make it
look like the waves of the sea, perpetually moving; and it must be a
severe trial to the peripatetic powers of those who have not quite
recovered their sea legs.
_Saturday, May 19th_.--We were off early; it was a lovely day, and we
had a pleasant drive to Cintra. On our arrival we mounted donkeys and
went to Pena, the beautiful palace of the ex-King Ferdinand, situated
at the top of the mountains. It is an extraordinary-looking place,
the different parts being built in every imaginable style of
architecture, with exquisite carving and old tiles that would delight
the heart of a connoisseur. One of the most prominent objects near the
Palace of Pena is the statue of Vasco da Gama, nobly placed on a
pedestal of natural rocks, piled on the summit of a mountain peak, and
worthy of the adventurous traveller it is erected to commemorate. The
gardens are full of camellias, roses, bougainvillea, &c. We lunched at
the excellent hotel, and came to the conclusion that Cintra is the
place, not only 'to spend a happy day,' but many happy months. It is
always pleasant to revisit places of which you have agreeable
reminiscences, and to find your expectations surpassed instead of
disappointed.
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