1838.] CHURCHES IN THE CITY. 43 



bay were dressed with flags, and at twelve o'clock, meridian, 

 a grand royal salute was fired from the forts, which was re- 

 turned by the vessels of war. As the Imperial pageant 

 passed on, loud prolonged vivas mingled with the clashing of 

 cymbals, and the braying of trumpets. The Emperor was 

 then but a mere lad, only thirteen years of age ; yet he re- 

 turned the congratulations of his subjects with ease and dig- 

 nity. Arrived at the great square in front of the palace, 

 which was densely crowded with citizens, and strangers from 

 the four quarters of the globe, a, feu dejoie was fired by the 

 troops, the Emperor exhibited himself in the balconies of the 

 palace, and a levee, attended by the foreign ministers and 

 their suites, completed the ceremonies of the day. 



(3.) Rio abounds in churches. On the outside, they bear 

 marks of decay, and the steps and vestibules are frequently 

 used by the market people to display their wares. In the 

 interior, however, they are gorgeously decorated, with orna- 

 ments of gold and silver, and fine specimens of painting and 

 sculpture. The music is always good, and on important oc- 

 casions especially attractive. The inhabitants are principally 

 Roman Catholics, but they are fast losing their attachment 

 to the religion of their forefathers. The churches are regu- 

 larly opened for public worship on the Sabbath, and at other 

 times during the week, but they are slimly attended. As in 

 most Catholic countries, Sunday is a complete gala day. 

 The stores and shops, particularly those where fancy articles 

 are sold, and the cafes and coffee saloons, are kept open ; 

 hunting, riding, and fishing, usurp the place of the forms and 

 ceremonies prescribed in the ritual ; the billiard rooms are 

 crowded ; and the performances at the theatres, of which 

 there are three in the city, are witnessed by a far more nu- 

 merous auditory than may be seen in the Cathedral. 



The English and American residents erected a neat Epis- 

 copal church, near the public gardens on the bay, in 1820, 

 which is inclosed by an iron railing, and has a yard in front 

 paved with granite. Service is held here with great punctu- 



