192 A YEAR IN BRAZIL. 



remain. The population numbers seventy-six ; and they 

 all intermarry, with the result that every year insanity 

 increases on the island. 



I was told last night of the proposal to construct a rail- 

 way tunnel under the bay from this city to Nichteroy. 

 Mr. Barlow, of Westminster, is the engineer. It is pro- 

 posed to lay some two miles of iron tubes in the silt of the 

 bay, at a cost of ;£'2,ooo,000. The scheme is well thought 

 of, especially as water-pipes could be laid through the 

 tunnel, and Nichteroy much needs a supply of good water. 

 The gross annual receipts of the ferry are $45,000, and the 

 tunnel would afford through railway communication with 

 Santos, opening up a rich coffee-growing country. The 

 Government, however, would not guarantee the interest, as 

 they do not consider it a necessity ; but they have granted 

 a concession for a long period.* 



How I wish I could send home a case of Bahia oranges ! 

 But they would not stand the carriage. These oranges 

 are about six inches in diameter, with thin skin, no pips, 

 very luscious, and replete with juice ; they are most re- 

 freshing. Talking of fruit, I may mention that, at least, 

 in this expensive town, my luncheon is cheap, as I can 

 obtain a tumbler of good rough red wine, a roll, and half 

 a dozen bananas for sixpence. 



I must now describe a bull-fight, which I witnessed 

 with Mr. Large, on the I2th of June. The season began 

 on Whitsun Day (June i), and bull-fights are held every 

 Sunday and on Holy Days. I was very anxious to see 

 one, as they are one of the principal amusements here, 

 besides, of course, the theatres. Though I had been told 



* From news received at the end of October (1884), it appears the President 

 of the Province of Rio de Janeiro has granted a guarantee of six per cent, on a 

 capital of half a million to a company for supplying Nichteroy with water. 



