The session commences in October, and closes in May; after which the public examinations, to which all must submit, continue till the month of July. These exami nations are carried on in the Portuguese language ; but are so severe that many of the students, rather than sub mit to them, relinquish the university. The lectures aro likewise delivered in Portuguese, and in all respects re semble those delivered in other universities, except that the students pay nothing for hearing them. Before a student, whether in theology, jurisprudence, or medicine, can hold a place or exercise his profession, he must have studied at Coimbra a certain number of years, attended certain lectures, and gone through his annual examina tions. The term prescribed for physicians is five years ; but only those take a doctor's degree, who wish to be come tutors at the university, in which case they must dispute publicly, but write no inaugural dissertation. Hence the title of doctor is very uncommon, and of course highly honourable. The degrees of bachelor or master of arts are now seldom conferred. The number of students at Coimbra is very considerable. When Link
was there, in 1798, he was told that it exceeded 800 ; though some Portuguese writers make their number amount to 2000, and others even to 8000. The students are distinguished by a particular dress, hut live, as with us, in private houses, and not within the walls of the university.
The museum contains few remarkable specimens; but the collection of philosophical instruments is excellent, containing many of English manufacture, entirely new. In mechanics it is very rich, but extremely poor in elec trical apparatus. The chemical laboratory is capacious, and well furnished ; containing, besides the objects ge nerally found in such establishments, a pneumatic appa ratus, and a collection of chemical preparations accord ing to the new nomenclature : it is likewise provided with a collection of chirurgical instruments. In the li brary the number of volumes is considerable, comprising many of the most valuable modern publications. The observatory, which stands in an excellent situation in the upper end of the town, is very convenient and neatly ar