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." 



