BOTAFOGO. 43 
Botafogo, where, on account of the salubrity 
of the air, the richest and most distinguished of 
the inhabitants of Rio Janeiro have fixed their 
country-houses, is the most attractive spot in 
the immediate environs of the capital. Among 
the mountains which form the back-ground of 
the view from the Bay, is one solid rock, very re- 
markable from the resemblance of its figure to an 
enormous church-steeple ; it rises, according to 
a geometrical admeasurement of our scientific 
companion Lenz, to the height of fifteen hun- 
dred and: eighty feet above the level of the sea. 
With infinite pains, a road has been conducted 
to the summit, where the space is so confined 
that a few persons only can be accommodated 
at the same time, but from whence the prospect 
is Indescribably magnificent: it is called Cor- 
covado, and is a favourite ride with the Km- 
peror. 
From Botafogo the road to the capital is 
studded on both sides with pretty villas. The 
town derives its name, Rio Janeiro, or January 
river, from an error on the first discovery of the 
bay, which, owing to the narrowness of its 
mouth, was mistaken for a river, and named 
