CH.in. SOUTH AMERICA. 333 



the ifland, and be pretty well out of the reach of the 

 guns of fort St. Anthony, or St. Maria, which lies a 

 little above ; but I would advife thofe who may be 

 neceffitated to fail into this bay, in fpite of the faid 

 forts, to keep the lead g[oing and ro come no nearer 

 the ifland than twelve fathoms water, as the ihore is 

 very foul. 



This city is fituated on an high eminence ; at the 

 bottom of which, on the ftrand, is a large town called 

 the Praya, which properly is the port, but generally 

 they are colleólively taken, and called Cidadede Bahia, 

 The cicy and town are conneóled by three ftreets, 

 which run flantwife up the eminence, as it would be 

 almoft impoíTible to go right up : in two or three 

 places they have long pulleys (inclined planes) two 

 hundred yards in length, built up the fide of this fteep 

 eminence, to draw up the goods from the Praya, 

 where they have large warehoufes. Here is a fpacioiis 

 market-place, furrounded by piazzas, under which is 

 kept a continual fair for goods, brought in from all 

 parts of this country. At the firft arrival of the fleet 

 from Portugal it is difficult to find room to ftand, as 

 the inhabitants of the whole city flock down to market 

 to buy up the private trade, which the failors bring 

 over ; every one of whom is allowed a certain quantity 

 according to his fl:ation. 



At the fouthernmofl: part of the Praya is a con- 

 fiderable dock-yard, where they build large fliips, or 

 men of war. They alfo prepare vafl: quantities of 

 timber for the purpofe, in order to fend to Portugal by 

 thofe men of war that convoy the fleet home. Is it 

 not a pity our men of war from the coafl: of America 

 are not loaded home with fuch a cargo ? 



The city of Bahia is pretty regular, and as well laid 

 cut as the unevennefs of the hill on which it Hands 

 will permit. But I wifh I have not exceeded my firil 

 propofal, as it is difficult to fuppofe, that a city and 

 bay fo well known, ihould have efcaped the pens of 



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