LAST DAYS IN BRAZIL. 235 



In 1822 the independence of Brazil was declared, since 

 which time it has been a constitutional empire, ruled over 

 for the last fifty-three years by the amiable, benevolent, 

 and irreproachable Emperor, Dom Pedro II., whom may 

 God long preserve to the country, for whose welfare he is 

 so necessary. 



Tramways. 



The ubiquitous system of tramways in Rio de Janeiro, 

 and their frequent service of cars, is so excellent that it 

 would be easier to suggest improvement in the means of 

 locomotion which exist in London than in those of Rio. 

 In almost every street or square one meets with the tram- 

 cars of one or more of the four companies, by which one 

 can either proceed from one extremity of the city to the 

 other, or from the centre of the town to the most distant 

 outskirts. 



The first line opened in the city was that of the 

 Botanical Gardens Railroad Company, inaugurated at the 

 end of 1868. The trams are always called "bondes," a 

 term I was at a loss to understand till I was informed that 

 the name arose from the simultaneous issue of the bonds of 

 a national loan and the tickets of this company, which 

 latter were used as currency for small payments. This 

 line extends from the Rua do Ouvidor (the Regent Street 

 of Rio) to Larangeiras, Botafogo, and the Botanical Gar- 

 dens ; and the total length of rails laid cannot be less than— 

 but may be more than — fifteen miles. The company started 

 with a capital of ;^40,ooo, and soon made enormous profits. 

 I heard of one shareholder who, having originally invested 

 ;£'iQOO, had received in thirteen years between ;£'6ooo and 

 £TX)0 in dividends ; and on the company selling the 

 concern for ;^75o,ooo, his portion added to his interest 



