1838.] POPULATION OF THE CITY. 45 



There are numerous fountains, also, scattered over the city, 

 in the plazas, or squares ; and sparkling jets of crystal water 

 may be seen in all directions, diffusing their grateful coolness 

 through the heated and impure atmosphere. Some of the 

 reservoirs have tastefully constructed edifices erected over 

 them, which are alike useful and ornamental. The inhabi- 

 tants rely, almost entirely, upon the fountains, for water for 

 domestic purposes, which is carried by their slaves, in jars, or 

 buckets, on their heads ; and " from dusky morn till dewy 

 eve," they are surrounded by a motley collection of water- 

 carriers, engaged in filling their vessels, chattering the while 

 like so many magpies, and laughing and jesting gayly with 

 their companions. Near the fountain of Hafariz, the largest 

 in the city, there are two stone basins, fifty feet long and 

 twenty-five wide, which are daily filled with from two to 

 three hundred negro washerwomen, who stand in the water, 

 often half naked, all the day long, constantly drubbing and 

 rinsing their clothes. 



(5.) The city of Rio Janeiro contains not far from two 

 hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, a great part of 

 whom are slaves. In former years, the society was not very 

 good, but latterly there has been a change for the better in 

 this respect, though there is still sufficient room for improve- 

 ment. Comparatively little attention is paid to education, 

 especially among the female sex. The presence of the foreign 

 ministers and their suites, and of intelligent merchants and 

 travellers, has given a higher tone and polish to society, 

 though the intercourse between the Brazilians and the citi- 

 zens of other countries is not altogether free from restraint. 

 This may be attributed, partly to the natural jealousy of 

 their dispositions, and partly to the consciousness of their de- 

 fective education. Females are rarely seen at public assem- 

 blages and parties, and the visits which they interchange 

 with each other are rather formal and ceremonious than 

 cheerful and friendly. These impediments and drawbacks 

 to an easy and unrestrained social intercourse are gradually 

 . being softened down, and they must soon entirely disappear 



