PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 483 
for light in harmonious sounds, it does not, after all, give 
much information as to the way in which their calamity is 
relieved. I should add, that their musical performance is 
excellent, and does great credit to their German professor. 
It struck me that very little use was made of object-teach- 
ing, such as is so much in vogue for children in Germany. 
There are not as many models in the whole establishment 
as would be found in any nursery in certain parts of Ger- 
many. The maps also are very poor. 
" One of the most interesting of the public establishments 
at Rio de Janeiro is the Marine Arsenal. From the Gulf 
of Mexico to Cape Horn there is not to be found on the 
Atlantic coast another port where a vessel of war, or even a 
merchant vessel of large tonnage, could undergo important 
repairs. The machine-shops and saw-mills are well directed, 
and are deficient in none of the improvements belonging to 
modern establishments of the kind. The dock is large and 
constructed of granite. A considerable number of large 
vessels have been built at this shipyard during the last 
few years, and all its appointments have been constantly 
improving under the direction of several successive minis- 
ters of the navy. Such an establishment is, in fact, a 
necessity for Brazil ; possessing as she does eleven hun- 
dred leagues of coast, it is impossible for her to depend 
upon other countries for her maritime supplies. The 
Marine Arsenal sends out from its school and shipyard 
many able engineers and clever artisans, who carry into 
ordinary branches of industry the ability they have ac- 
quired in the public service. Indeed, this establishment 
may be considered as a sort of school of industrial arts, 
furnishing the country with good workmen in various de- 
partments of labor." 
