The Portuguese appear to submit very placidly to the decrees
of' Senhor COSTA CABRAL, their "Dictator" as he is now nicknamed ; but the English writers stationed in the kingdom by the London newspapers assume a vicarious indignation, and hint at very terrible doings, present and future. The Austrian Minister at Lisbon is said to take a very active part in carrying out intrigues, and to act in concert with the King of the French; proof, it is assumed, that France and Austria are engaged in a conspiracy to undermine "constitutional" government in Portugal, as they did in 1822. Other hints seem to imply that the King-Consort of Portugal meddles over much and dangerously in political affairs ; his motive, one is led to guess, being the desire to free the Queen from anxieties attendant on a feeble Administration, by building up a " strong " Government. Thus a variety of " occult influences" are imputed as swaying COSTA CABRAL ; though the revolutionary origin of his own power, the disorganized state of the country, and the obstacles which must provokingly impede the most reasonable measures, are quite sufficient to account for his desperate course, without hunting for foreign influences because there happens to be an Austrian Minister at Lisbon, or because the King happens to retain a liking for his old tutor, M. DIETZ. Whatever the truth, the dangers seem to threaten individuals only ; for while the coun- try cannot well be worse-conditioned, men "have their throats about them."
