Lisbon is in commotion, the Progressists and Republicans making common
cause against the Convention with Great Britain as too unfavourable to Portugal. Lord Salisbury has consented to give up the clause preventing any transfer of new African territory to any Power but Great Britain ; but the adversaries of the Portuguese Government refuse to be comforted, and insist that Portugal has been plundered. The Foreign Secretary has even resigned, to appease public feeling, and there is talk of postponing the ratification of the Con- vention. Lisbon is carefully watched and guarded, troops have been sent to Oporto, and some British sailors who acci- dentally landed have been compelled to retreat to their ship. To judge by external symptoms, the Portuguese are on the brink of a revolution, and will begin a new regime by a war with England ; but appearances are not wholly to be trusted. The country Deputies are of a different temper from the in- habitants of Lisbon, and most of the abuse of the Convention is directed against the King, who is not popular, and is lying weak and ill at Cintra. The Portuguese have got their heads filled with dreams of a new Brazil in Africa ; but their statesmen are well aware that they have already more territory than they can govern, and that without French assistance, which they would have to pay for, resistance is impossible. The Spanish Minister, it is stated, who watches Portugal keenly, declares that there is nothing in the agitation but
noise. ..e
