32 RIO JANEIRO, BRAZIL. 



which the night temperature converts into copious rains. The 

 water is cool, delightful to the taste, and clear as crystal. 



There is a navy-yard at Rio Janeiro. It presents, how- 

 ever, but little activity ; for the Brazillian navy is now 

 dwindled down to a few vessels ; previous to the abdication of 

 Don Pedro I.* it was large and efficient. 



The currency is paper, the gold and silver being mere arti- 

 cles of commerce, and consequently subject to great fluctu- 

 ation. 



On the 26th, the " Relief arrived. Her officers stated 

 that the great length of the passage was owing more to calms, 

 and variable winds than bad sailing. There were many days 

 during which she did not make more than a mile on her 

 course. On the 17th, she fell in with the hull of the brig 

 " Nile," of Bath, both masts gone, within a few feet of the 

 partners, and her hold was nearly filled with water. It was 

 evident she had been in this situation for some time ; clusters 

 of shell-fish were fastened to her decks and bulwarks, and 

 long sea-weeds flaunted at her sides. As her bowsprit was 

 still standing in good condition, Captain Long caused it to be 

 cut away, and taken on board the " Relief." Nothing more 

 occurred during her passage worthy of notice. 



On the morning of the 27th we hauled up to Enxadas ; landed 

 the provisions and stores, and then proceeded to " smoke ship." 

 We performed this troublesome and disagreeable operation in 

 the hope that we might destroy the roaches, which from the 

 time of our leaving the United States, had been a source of the 

 greatest annoyance to us. 



Enxadas is also the place where our observatory was ercct- 



* Don Pedro I. ascended the throne in 18-2-2, unde the title of Emperor of Brazil. 

 After a reign of a few years, the violence of political parties rose to such a height, and 

 became so unmanageable, that the Emperor thought it prudent to abdicate in favor of 

 his son, the present Emperor. 





