RIO JANEIRO. 49 



feu de joie began, one of the most deafening I ever heard. He finished 

 this public exhibition by showing himself to the multitude below, from 

 the balconies of the city palace, and was received with many vivas. 



He then held his levee, which the Rev. Mr. Walsh has so well 

 described, and which closely resembled the one at which he was 

 present, with this difference, that this was much more of a farce, in 

 consequence of the boyhood of the Emperor. Nothing can be more 

 ridiculous than to see all the dignitaries, and old men, the mitred 

 bishop, the sage diplomatist, and the veteran soldier, ushered into the 

 presence, and out again, without saying a word, or turning their backs 

 on the young monarch. Mr. Walsh has, however, said nothing about 

 the scene in the ante-room ; to me it was the most ridiculous of all. 

 The arranging the order of entrance to the presence, with due form 

 and etiquette ; the examination by each diplomatist, that he has his 

 due order of precedence ; their anxiety to gather their suites around 

 them, not unlike a hen with her chickens, to make the fullest show ; all 

 prepares one for the ridiculous scene that is to follow. The oldest 

 resident minister always takes the lead. At night the city was 

 illuminated. 



Rio is now well supplied with water. Aqueducts have been finished 

 within the last two years, which bring it from the Corcovado and 

 Tejuca Mountains, a distance of six or seven miles. There are a 

 number of public fountains in different parts of the city. All the water 

 for the supply of families is transported by slaves, who are constantly 

 seen about these fountains. Until the amount of toil and time occupied 

 is seen, little idea can be formed of the saving of labour that hydrants 

 and pipes, for the supply of this necessary article, effect. These 

 fountains have numerous jets, and some have pretty edifices over them. 

 During the day, there are seldom less than fifty to one hundred, both 

 male and female, water-carriers around them, filling their jars, with 

 which they are seen moving about poised on their heads. Near the 

 large fountain called Hafariz, in the square of Santa Anna, are two 

 large basins, about fifty feet long and twenty-five wide. These are 

 commonly filled with about two hundred negro women, who daily 

 assemble to wash. Numbers of them are half naked, standing up to 

 their middle in the water, beating and thrashing the clothes against the 

 stone wall, to the great destruction of buttons, &c. 



Few articles are transported in any other way than by slaves, and 

 it is extremely rare to see a cart drawn by any beast of burden. 

 Antique-looking carriages and two-wheeled calescas are generally 

 seen. 



It is impossible to remain long at Rio without noticing the geolo- 

 VOL. i. e 7 



