44 DWELLINGS AND STREETS. [1838. 



ality ; and there are missionaries belonging to other denomi- 

 nations residing in the city. 



(4.) The houses are built of granite, large beds of which 

 have been opened in the vicinity of the capital. The blocks 

 are cemented together with clay, in consequence of the 

 scarcity of lime, which is principally obtained by burning 

 sea-shells. The floors, beams, and rafters, are made of the 

 hard wood for which Brazil is famous. This is susceptible 

 of a high polish, and might be made to add very much to 

 the neatness and beauty of the dwellings ; but wainscoting 

 is scarcely ever seen, and the interior walls and ceilings are 

 usually provided with a rough coating of plaster, though the 

 apartments of the wealthier citizens are often ornamented 

 with stucco work and fresco painting, in rich and fanciful 

 designs, or with silk and damask curtains and tapestries. 

 The outer walls are also plastered, and generally wear a 

 lively look. Most of the houses are two stories in height, 

 though some exceed this. They have tall pyramidal roofs, 

 surmounted with red tiles, which sometimes project fearfully. 

 The doors and windows have heavy lintels and casings ; and 

 jutting balconies, and wide, disproportion ed — though, in a 

 hot day, very comfortable — verandas, are regarded as essen- 

 tial requisites to every private habitation. 



With one or two exceptions, the streets are long and nar- 

 row, and, for the most part, gloomy and sombre in appearance. 

 They are badly paved with rudely-fashioned blocks of granite, 

 and in the middle of them are the gutters, the receptacles of 

 all the filth and abomination of a seaport town. Sidewalks 

 are mainly dispensed with, and those which have been con- 

 structed are never in good repair. There can be no just ex- 

 cuse for the want of cleanliness indicated by the condition of 

 the streets. The location is highly favorable ; wheeled ve- 

 hicles for carrying burdens are comparatively little used, only 

 a few antique coaches, ami two-wheeled calescas, or calashes, 

 occasionally jolting along over the rough pavements ; and an 

 abundant supply of water is brought in aqueducts, from the 

 Corcovado and Tejuca mountains, six or seven miles distant. 



