228 A YEAR IN BRAZIL. 



Though delighted at the thoughts of being so soon 

 en route for home, I could not, without mixed feelings, look 

 round on the city for the last time. Fortunately the day 

 was dull — heavy clouds covered the mountains, the bay 

 was a dirty green, and everything appeared dusky and 

 dark — so that I had not the additional sorrow of seeing 

 the lovely scenery in its most attractive light. But why 

 should I linger, and prolong the agony ? A steam launch 

 came for us soon after three ; we stowed our voluminous 

 luggage on board, and in company with Senhores Dantas 

 and Freitas, who have proved very kind friends, and Mr. 

 Bithell, we stepped off the quay, and were once more, after 

 thirteen months in Brazil, on the water. Adieu, fair Rio ! 

 I have passed many pleasant hours in your beautiful city. 

 Shall I ever again set foot on your shores .? 



Additional Notes on Rio de Janeiro. 



During the two months I spent at Rio, being daily 

 engaged at the office from ten to five, with the exception 

 of Saturday after two, and Sundays, and the last few days, 

 I was unable to visit a hundredth part of the places I 

 wished to explore, therefore cannot from personal know- 

 ledge give any more detailed account of the city and its 

 environs, though I must briefly refer to the tramways and 

 one or two other points which came under my notice. But, 

 first, as it may be of interest, I will give a short account 

 of its origin. 



Foundation of the City.* 



The French Huguenot, Nicholas Durand Villegaignon, 

 Knight of Malta, and Vice-Admiral of Brittany, who was 

 already celebrated for his exploits, desiring to propagate 

 Calvinism in the New World, conceived the idea of founding 



* Condensed from " Guia do Viajante." 



