RIO JANEIRO, BRAZIL. 33 



ed. It is a small rocky island, situated opposite Rio, with a 

 large dwelling-house standing at one end of it, and a number 

 of other buildings which were formerly used by shipping as 

 store-houses. It is at present the property of a wealthy 

 French family, residing in Rio Janeiro, but formerly, we were 

 told, it was owned by the church, and the dwelling house 

 above mentioned was a nunnery. 



December 1st was the anniversary of the Emperor's birth- 

 day, Don Pedro II. The occasion was celebrated with salutes, 

 illuminations, and fireworks. 



December 10th. I received orders to relieve Mr. C., on 

 board the " Relief," he being obliged to return to the United 

 States on account of ill health. 



On the 17th, got under-way, and were towed out the har- 

 bor by boats from the " Independence" and " Porpoise," but 

 the wind failing soon after the boats left, we let-go the anchor 

 to prevent our being drifted on shore by the tide. At an 

 early hour next morning the breeze sprung up from the south- 

 ward and eastward, and we hove-up the anchor, and stood 

 down the coast. 



January 2d. The Barometer was observed to fall from 

 29, 84. to 29, 52 ; but the weather remained pleasant. 



During the 4th, many birds were seen ; among others, the 

 albatross (diomedia exulans,) giant petrel, cape pigeon, and a 

 species of gull. 



On the 10th, we passed Cape St. Joseph. This cape is a 

 rough, rocky headland, about 150 feet in height. A large 

 number of guanacos were seen on a neighboring hill, and a 

 great many birds on the beach. 



At daylight on the 21st, made the land near the strait of 

 Le Maire. At 9 A. M., passed Staten Land. . The aspect 

 of this island is wild and savage beyond description, or even 



