TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 123 



the form of a sugar-loaf, is the well-known guide 

 for ships at a distance. Towards noon, approach- 

 ing nearer and nearer to the enchanting prospect, 

 we came up to those colossal rocky portals, and at 

 length passed between them into a great amphi- 

 theatre, in which the mirror of the water appeared 

 like a tranquil inland lake, and scattered flowery 

 islands, bounded in the back ground by a woody 

 chain of mountauis, rose like a paradise full of 

 luxuriance and magnificence. Some naval officers 

 from the fort of Santa Cruz, by which our arrival 

 had been announced to the city, brought us per- 

 mission to sail farther in. While this business was 

 transacting, the eyes of all feasted on a country, 

 which, for beauty, variety, and splendour, far ex- 

 ceeded all-the natural beauties which we had ever 

 beheld. The banks in bright sunshine rose out of 

 the dark blue sea; and nimierous white houses, 

 chapels, churches, and forts, contrasted with their 

 rich verdure. Rocks of grand forms rise boldly 

 behind them, the declivities of which are clothed 

 in all the luxuriant diversity of a tropical forest. 

 An ambrosial perfume is diffused from these noble 

 forests, and the foreign navigator sails delighted 

 past the many islands covered with beautiful groves 

 of palms. Thus new, pleasing, and sublime scenes, 

 alternately passed before our astonished eyes, till at 

 length the capital of the infant kingdom, illumined 

 by the evening sun, lay extended before us ; and 

 we, having sailed past the little island das Cobras, 



