commerce with all nations. The spirit of independence which invariably attends an enlarged acquaintance with men and manners, soon spread among the Brazilian people to such an extent, that though invited to return to Europe in 1816, King John judged it necessary, to the maintenance of his authority, that he should remain in Brazil. Portugal, on the other hand, began to feel the disadvantages arising from the monarch's absence. Far from the seat of government, the power of the Regency was gradually weakened, and, on almost every point, great inconvenience was experienced from the delay occasioned before the will of the King could be ascertained. The resources of the country, besides, were in a great measure

ex

hausted by the demands made upon it to support the war between Brazil and the provinces of Rio de la Plata. These circumstances raised a spirit of discontent among the people, which, however, did not fully display itself till the commencement of the Spanish Revolution in 1820.

The Regency now perceived that matters were approaching to a crisis, and, therefore, to avert the threatening danger, resolved, by the advice of Count Palmella, to summon a Cortes for the redress of grievances and the reformation of abuses. Nothing, however, could check the revolutionary spirit. Anxious to restore peace in Portugal, the Count sailed for Brazil, with a view to represent to the King the alarming state of the country On his arrival, the enlightened minister advised the monarch to yield so far to the wishes of the people, as to send his son, in the capacity of Viceroy, to Portugal, with a constitutional charter. While this subject was under consideration, the

EUROPE IN 1827.

VI.

PORTUGAL.

THE present situation of Portugal is of singular importance. For many years past, the cause of Absolute Monarchy has been tottering in that country, and now it has, at length, given place, with the consent of the monarch, to a Constitutional form of government. It is extremely doubtful, however, from the fluctuating nature of public opinion, and from the power of Spanish influence in perverting the minds of the nobility, whether the more popular system will long remain in a state of security.

The diversified changes which the Portuguese Government has undergone, may be viewed, in connexion with Spanish politics, as having given rise to the glorious independence of the South American States. From the year 1807, when King John VI. was compelled to embark for Brazil, leaving his dominions in Portugal in the hands of a Regency, may be dated the commencement of important changes in the policy both of the Old and the New World. On his arrival in his South American dominions, the Portuguese monarch established Brazil as a separate kingdom, and by opening the ports, encouraged a system of free

commerce with all nations. The spirit of independence which invariably attends an enlarged acquaintance with men and manners, soon spread among the Brazilian people to such an extent, that though invited to return to Europe in 1816, King John judged it necessary, to the maintenance of his authority, that he should remain in Brazil. Portugal, on the other hand, began to feel the disadvantages arising from the monarch's absence. Far from the seat of government, the power of the Regency was gradually weakened, and, on almost every point, great inconvenience was experienced from the delay occasioned before the will of the King could be ascertained. The resources of the country, besides, were in a great measure exhausted by the demands made upon it to support the war between Brazil and the provinces of Rio de la Plata. These circumstances raised a spirit of discontent among the people, which, however, did not fully display itself till the commencement of the Spanish Revolution in 1820.

The Regency now perceived that matters were approaching to a crisis, and, therefore, to avert the threatening danger, resolved, by the advice of Count Palmella, to summon a Cortes for the redress of grievances and the reformation of abuses. Nothing, however, could check the revolutionary spirit. Anxious to restore peace in Portugal, the Count sailed for Brazil, with a view to represent to the King the alarming state of the country On his arrival, the enlightened minister advised the monarch to yield so far to the wishes of the people, as to send his son, in the capacity of Viceroy, to Portugal, with a constitutional charter. While this subject was under consideration, the

THE present situation of Portugal is of singular importance. For many years past, the cause of Absolute Monarchy has been tottering in that country, and now it has, at length, given place, with the consent of the monarch, to a Constitutional form of government. It is extremely doubtful, however, from the fluctuating nature of public opinion, and from the power of Spanish influence in perverting the minds of the nobility, whether the more popular system will long remain in a state of security.

The diversified changes which the Portuguese Government has undergone, may be viewed, in connexion with Spanish politics, as having given rise to the glorious independence of the South American States. From the year 1807, when King John VI. was compelled to embark for Brazil, leaving his dominions in Portugal in the hands of a Regency, may be dated the commencement of important changes in the policy both of the Old and the New World. On his arrival in his South American dominions, the Portuguese monarch established Brazil as a separate kingdom, and by opening the ports, encouraged a system of free

commerce with all nations. The spirit of independence which invariably attends an enlarged acquaintance with men and manners, soon spread among the Brazilian people to such an extent, that though invited to return to Europe in 1816, King John judged it necessary, to the maintenance of his authority, that he should remain in Brazil. Portugal, on the other hand, began to feel the disadvantages arising from the monarch's absence. Far from the seat of government, the power of the Regency was gradually weakened, and, on almost every point, great inconvenience was experienced from the delay occasioned before the will of the King could be ascertained. The resources of the country, besides, were in a great measure hausted by the demands made upon it to support the war between Brazil and the provinces of Rio de la Plata. These circumstances raised a spirit of discontent among the people, which, however, did not fully display itself till the commencement of the Spanish Revolution in 1820.

ex

The Regency now perceived that matters were approaching to a crisis, and, therefore, to avert the threatening danger, resolved, by the advice of Count Palmella, to summon a Cortes for the redress of grievances and the reformation of abuses. Nothing, however, could check the revolutionary spirit. Anxious to restore peace in Portugal, the Count sailed for Brazil, with a view to represent to the King the alarming state of the country On his arrival, the enlightened minister advised the monarch to yield so far to the wishes of the people, as to send his son, in the capacity of Viceroy, to Portugal, with a constitutional charter. While this subject was under consideration, the