142 Voyage of the Novara. 



various languages hitherto unknown, or such idioms as have 

 been as yet but little examined and investigated. 



The race, to which these three negroes belonged, seems 

 to have been already converted to Christianity. At least, they 

 all had Christian names, but could give us no information 

 either as to certain heathenish rites in their own countrv, 

 or concerning an idol of carved ivory which we showed them, 

 brought from the east coast of Africa, and the method of 

 worshipping it. 



Two of the most elegant edifices of Rio Janeiro, worthy 

 indeed of being placed side by side with the largest charitable 

 establishments in Europe, are the immense palace-like Hospital 

 of the Santa Casa da Misericordia, in which between 8000 

 and 9000 patients are received and treated annually, and 

 the really splendid Lunatic Asylum {Asylo dos Alienados), 

 in the cove of Botafogo. The latter institution, founded in 

 184-1, which, whether as regards the tastefulness of its architec- 

 ture or its munificent endowment, can hardly be rivalled any- 

 where, owes its existence to one of the most estimable bene- 

 factors of his native country, Don Jose Clemente Pereira, 

 Minister of the Interior at the time of its erection. This 

 genial, benevolent soul, deeply acquainted with the human 

 heart and its weaknesses, hit, as we were told, upon the 

 following eminently original and ingenious method of raising 

 the sums required. All grades of the various Brazilian 

 orders, as well as the titles of Baron, Count, and Marquis, 

 were put up for sale at fixed prices, the proceeds resulting from 



