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Sintra, Palácio da Pena

Lisbon, July 16th, 1809

... we have seen all sorts of marvellous sights, palaces, convents, etc. I must just observe that the village of Cintra in Estramadura is the most beautiful, perhaps in the world. I am very happy her, because I loves oranges and talk bad Latin to the monks, who understand it, as it is like their own [language], and I goes into society (with my pocket pistols), and I swims in the Tagus all across at once, and I rides on an ass or a mule, and swears Portuguese, and have got a diarrhoea, and bites from the mosquitoes. But what of that? Comfort must not be expected by folks that go a pleasuring." ... I have been seasick, and sick of the sea. Adieu. Yours faithfully.

Byron To Francis Hodgson