'Proceeding abont 30 miles to the southward we come to the south end of this lagoon or lake on which is situated the town of Aveiro (population, 5.000); distant about 50 miles west of Coimbra) on the left bank of the Vouga river, at its junction with the oecan.
It possesses a fine harbour; the entrance is dangerous on account of the constant shifting of the bar. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, this town used to send to sea 60 fishing vessels which prosecuted successfully the fishery on the banks of Newfoundland. Unfortunatly for the commerce of tho place the shifting sand blocked up their harhour and ruined their trade. The country is flat around, and the rebut of the lake giving inland navigation, gave it the name of the Holland of Portugal. Leaving this, and passing Ílhavo, a small town which exports quantities of salt collected on the beach, and a cousiderable quantity of cured fish, we arrive at Mira (populalion 6.000), after enjoying the gambols of the dolphins chassing the flying fish, which are numerous on the shores. Mira is a saline and fishing station of some importance.'
