E^E 



^99HSH 



8 



TOWN OF RECIFE. 



land to the southward of the other two, and 

 is joined to them also by a bridge. The recife, 

 or reef of rocks already spoken of, runs in front 

 of these sand-banks, and receives upon it the 

 principal force of the sea, which, at the flow of 

 the tide, rolls over it, but is much checked by 

 it, and strikes the quays and buildings of the 

 town with diminished strength. The greatest 

 part of the extent of sand between Olinda and 

 the town which remains uncovered, is open to 

 the sea, and the surf there is very violent. 

 Buildings have only been raised within the pro- 

 tection of the reef. The tide enters between 

 the bridges, and encircles the middle compart- 

 ment. On the land side there is a considerable 

 expanse of water, having much the appearance 

 of a lake, which becomes narrower towards 

 Olinda, and reaches to the very streets of that 

 place, thus facilitating the communication be- 

 tween the two towns. The view from the 

 houses that look on to these waters is very ex- 

 tensive and very beautiful ; their opposite banks 

 are covered with trees and white-washed cot- 

 tages, varied by small open spaces and lofty 

 coco trees. 



The first division of the town is composed of 

 brick houses of three, four, and even five stories 

 in height j most of the streets are narrow, and 

 some of the older houses in the minor streets 

 are of only one story in height, and many of them 



