The Portuguese must be an ignorant people, from the despotism established in the country: they are obliged to be industrious, from the prodigious taxes laid on every article of consumption; but as the tyranny of government renders property insecure, industry has only got the length of necessity. The lower sort of people, in general, are revengeful; but stabbing is not so much in use as formerly. Love is the darling passion of both sexes, and it is wonderful their perseverance, to obtain their object. Jealousy prevails, yet the eyes of Argus do not prevent intrigue, which, when discovered, is often severely avenged. Sapphic love rises predominant here; the stories I have heard of the females, who indulge themselves in this passion, are almost incredible.
SOURCE: Major William Dalrymple, Travels through Spain and Portugal, in 1774, London, 1777, pp. 151-2. CITATION: If you cite this Web page, please use the following citation:
Rictor Norton (Ed.), "Sapphic Love in Portugal, 1777," Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook. 7 October 2008 <http://rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/1777dalr.htm>.
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