RIO DE JANEIRO AND ITS ENVIRONS. 79 
the day was full of an interest which touched us more 
nearly. At Posse, where we had breakfasted on our way 
up, Mr. Taylor welcomed us with a Portuguese paper 
containing a bulletin announcing the great victories of 
the North. Petersburg and Richmond taken, Lee in 
full retreat, the war virtually over. This was the sub- 
stance of the news received with delight and acclamation, 
not without tears of gratitude also, and we went on our 
way rejoicing. As we drove up to the Hotel Inglez after 
dark that evening, hoping to get a glimpse of an American 
paper, or at least to have the good news confirmed through 
the American Minister, General Webb, whose residence is 
at Petropolis, we were greeted by the announcement of the 
assassination of Lincoln and Seward, both believed at 
this time to be dead. At first it seemed absolutely in- 
credible, and the more sanguine among us persisted in 
regarding it as a gigantic street rumor, invented perhaps 
by Secession sympathizers, till on our return to town the 
next morning our worst fears were confirmed by the French 
steamer just arrived. The days seemed very long till the 
next mail, which reassured us somewhat, as it brought 
the news of Mr. Se ward's probable recovery and strength- 
ened our faith in the stability of the national character. 
All the accounts, public and private, assure us that, though 
there is mourning throughout the land, there is no dis- 
turbance of the general regularity and order. 
