Published in 1880, this book is the official guide to a groundbreaking event: Portugal's first major public exhibition dedicated to its own folk culture. Adolfo Coelho, a respected scholar, wasn't telling a fictional story. He was cataloging real objects—hundreds of them—from mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira. The 'plot' is the journey through the exhibit halls. You move from region to region, seeing the tools, clothes, pottery, and household items that defined everyday life for Portuguese people in the late 19th century.

Why You Should Read It

What struck me was the urgency behind it. This wasn't just a display of quaint antiques. Coelho and his colleagues were cultural rescuers. Industrialization was changing everything, and they were afraid that the knowledge of how to make a traditional fishing boat or weave a specific pattern would vanish in a generation. Reading his descriptions, you feel this sincere effort to understand and preserve a national identity before it was lost. It’s surprisingly moving.

Final Verdict

This is a specialized read, but a rewarding one. It's perfect for history buffs with a soft spot for social history, anyone interested in Portuguese culture, or people who love the idea of 'museums in book form.' Don't expect a page-turning narrative. Instead, think of it as an invitation to wander through a lost exhibition and see a nation carefully studying its own reflection at a pivotal moment in time.