[6] There is a vulgar tradition relative to don Sebastian, whom some Portugueze believe to be still alive. This gave rise to lord Tyrawley's laughable speech of "what can one possibly do with a nation, one half of which expect the Messiah, and the other half their king, don Sebastian, who has been dead two hundred years?" This tradition also caused another piece of pleasantry, which was attended by very dreadful consequences. The queen of Portugal, standing at the window, attended by her court, perceived a great water-spout rise in the air. "Ah!" laughingly exclaimed she, "here is the king, don Sebastian, returned amongst us." "That cannot be, madam," replied the counte d'Obydos, one of the first noblemen in Portugal, "since don Sebastian reigns over us at present;" alluding to don Sebastian Carvalho, the prime minister. Two hours after this ill-timed jest, the counte was imprisoned in the dungeon of St. Julian's tower.--(_See Dumouriez, Etat du Portugal._) [7] The Dutch and Catalonians. [8] The first assembly took place on the 12th of October, in the garden of Antonio d'Almada. The archbishop of Lisbon was not present at the opening of it, and the conspiracy was in a state of great forwardness before he made his appearance. Vertot is not always very accurate in his account of these different assemblies. [9] d'Acugna. [10] Don Sebastian de Mattos de Norogna. [11] Connestagio. [12] The conspiracy once formed, there was never any question of a republican government, nor of bestowing the crown on any other than the duke of Braganza. [13] Cardinal de Richelieu. [14] _Ad hæc politicas artes, bonos et malos regiminis dolos, dominationis arcana, humani latibula ingenii non modò intelligere mulier, sed et pertractare quoque ac provehere; tam naturâ quam disciplinâ mirificè instructa fuit._ Caetan. Passar. de Bello Lusitan. [15] Some authors say this question was asked by Paes, the duke's secretary. [16] Sousa de Maceda mentions Almada as the preserver of the archbishop. [17] Don Juan da Costa. [18] Donna Maria de Lancastro spoke to the same purpose, though in still stronger language, to her two sons, don Ferdinand Teller, and Antonio Teller de Silva: "Go forth, my sons, go forth and fight for your country; and be assured, that did not the weakness of my sex prevent me, I would myself accompany you to the place of action, and either conquer or perish in so glorious a cause." [19] Corregedor do Civel. [20] The king, kneeling down, took the coronation oath, in the following terms:-- "I here promise and make oath, to rule and govern this kingdom, and to administer justice to the utmost of my power, with prudence, wisdom, and moderation; and to maintain the usages, customs, privileges, and rights of the nation, as they were granted and confirmed by the kings my predecessors, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost!"