MAGNIFICENT PROSPECT. 



7 



another fathom and a half would touch them. 

 The passage for large vessels is between these 

 rocks and the north sand-bank, for the passage 

 between them and the south bank only admits of 

 small craft. I could not learn that there were 

 any other rocks or banks than these which I 

 have mentioned. The anchorage ground is 

 opposite to the fort, and on the outside of it; 

 but opposite to the town of Conception, which is 

 farther in than the fort, there is considerable 

 depth of water. Some parts of the ground are 

 rocky, but others afford safe riding. 



The magnificent prospect which may be en- 

 joyed from the clumsy wooden balcony of the 

 town-hall, compensates in some degree for the 

 dismal state of the place in which it stands. In 

 front is an extensive view of the sea, which is 

 always enlivened by numerous jangadas and ca- 

 noes sailing to and fro, and occasionally by the 

 large craft that trade between Maranham and 

 Recife, and by ships arriving from Europe or 

 returning thither. To the right is the broad 

 channel immediately below, and the bay which 

 it forms on the opposite side, with the pictu- 

 resque village of Camboa upon its shores, and 

 the pointed hill of the Engenho Novo, covered 

 with wood, rising behind it ; but as this hill does 

 not extend far, and rather rises in the form of a 

 cone, the river Iguaracu runs along the plain, 

 and is now and then discovered, but oftentimes 



b 4 



