LAST DAYS IN BRAZIL. 237 



have, though they may be clothed in rags. The cars are 

 always drawn by mules of a remarkably good and swift 

 breed. Short distance fares are unknown. Ordinary fare 

 is 200 reis 



Water Supply. 



Besides the very important supply from the Aqueduct 

 of the Rio da Carioca, there exist four large reservoirs : 

 that of Dom Pedro II. (which I visited and described), 

 holding 8,800,000 gallons ; that on the Morro da Viuva, 

 1,386,000 gallons ; that of Rio de Oura, 3,300,000 gallons ; 

 and Sta. Theresa, 660,000 gallons ; and in addition nine 

 smaller reservoirs. There are nine public fountains 

 scattered about the town, all about one hundred years old, 

 or more. These are well frequented by the townsfolk, as 

 also by the carriers who drive about the city with large 

 barrels of water, which they sell for a vintem (*/.) a bucket. 

 There are also, in course of construction, many ornamental 

 fountains, with large granite basins and statues ; but when 

 I left they were not as yet in use. 



Passeio Publico. 



This garden I was never tired of visiting. It was opened 

 in 1783, and contains many rare indigenous and exotic trees 

 and plants. For over a hundred years it has been the 

 most agreeable lounge in Rio, and, in my opinion, it sur- 

 passes the Jardim Botanico, though the latter is of far 

 greater extent, while it has the advantage of being only 

 a few minutes' walk from the Rua do Ouvidor, in the centre 

 of the city. The garden is covered by the most luxuriant 

 shrubberies, and a tangled mass of very lofty trees, plants 

 and creepers ; these, meeting overhead, yield a continual 

 shade to the numerous winding walks which intersect the 



