58 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



dition without contributing something to its results. He 

 improvised a fishing apparatus, with a stick, a string, and 

 a crooked pin, and caught two fishes, our first harvest 

 from the fresh waters of Brazil, one of which was en 

 tirely new to Mr. Agassiz, while the other he had never 

 seen, and only knew from descriptions. 



April 28th. This morning we went over to the Colorado, 

 which still lies in the harbor, and where the r jdsit_ of Jthe 

 Emperor was expected. We all felt an interest in the 

 occasion, for we have a kind of personal pride in the 

 fine ship whose first voyage has been the source of so 

 much enjoyment to us. The Imperial ^acht arrived punc 

 tually at twelve o clock, and was received by the captain 

 with a full salute from his Parrott guns, fired with a prompt 

 ness and accuracy which the Emperor did not fail to notice. 

 His Majesty went over the whole steamer ; and really an 

 exploring expedition over such a world in little, with its 

 provision-shops, its cattle stalls, its pantries and sculleries, 

 its endless accommodations for passengers and freight, its 

 variety of decks and its great central fires, deep below 

 all, is no contemptible journey for a tropical morning. 

 The arrangements of the vessel seemed to excite the in 

 terest and admiration both of the Emperor and his suite. 

 Captain Bradbury invited his Majesty to lunch on board ; 

 he very cordially accepted, and remained some time after 

 ward, conversing chiefly about scientific subjects, and es 

 pecially on matters connected with the expedition. The 

 Emperor is still a young _mjji ; but though only. . forty, 

 he has been the reigning sovereign of Brazil for more than 

 halt that time, and he looks cure-worn and smnev, hat older 

 than his years. He has a dignified, manly ^presence, a face 

 rather stern in repose, but animated and genial in conversa 

 tion ; his manner is courteous and friendly to all. 



