I 



Sept.] CITY OF ST. SALVADOR. 147 



ground may be sheltered from every wind, and surrounded by a 

 country exuberantly rich, in a gulf which seems as if formed by na- 

 ture for the emporium of the universe." By this work we are also 

 informed, that " the province of Bahia comprises fifty leagues of coast, 

 and that though one of the smallest provinces of Brazil, it is the most 

 fertile, populous, and luxuriant." 



The Bay of All Saints, is a conspicuous feature on the map of 

 South America. It is on the south-eastern coast of Brazil, nearly half- 

 waj r between the equator and the tropic of Capricorn. The coast 

 here runs in the direction of north-east and south-west, and this bay 

 opens to the south, the eastern side of its entrance being a peninsula, 

 on which stands the city of St. Salvador, in latitude 13° 30' S., long. 

 38° 24/ W. It is in fact, an inland sea, or gulf, which receives tie 

 waters of several large rivers. The entrance of this bay is seven 

 miles broad, from the peninsula on the east side to the island of 

 Taporica, on the west ; and the gulf within is more than thirty-two 

 leagues in circumference. The extreme point of the entrance, on the 

 eastern side, is called Cape St. Antonio, on which stands the light- 

 house, and an antique fort. The lantern of the lighthouse is ele- 

 vated about one hundred and twenty feet above the level of the sea. 



The city of St. Salvador stands on an eminence, at the eastern 

 side of the bay. It occupies a considerable space ; being situated on 

 unequal ground, and interspersed with plantations. Many of the 

 buildings are old and ill-constructed ; but, as in other Catholic cities, 

 the churches are the most distinguished edifices. The grand church 

 of the ex-jesuits is justly considered the most elegant structure of the 

 city. The cathedral is a large gothic pile, but much dilapidated by 

 time and the fervid influence of a tropical sun. Besides the churches 

 within the city, there are two near the bar, called St. Antonio and 

 Vittoria, which form excellent landmarks for navigators. They are 

 all so situated as to command a fine prospect of the bay and surround- 

 ing country. 



The governor's palace, in the royal square, is an old, indifferent-look- 

 ing building. On one side of this square are the senate-hall and the 

 prison ; on another, the mint and public offices ; and on the third, the 

 court-house of the relacao. The prison is a spacious, gloomy-looking 

 edifice, in the construction of which strength alone appears to have 

 been studied. The dungeons have no doors, but are entered through 

 grated traps in the ceiling. The principal hall in the first story, which 

 is well secured, is surrounded by dark cells, or secretos, about six feet 

 square. These have strong close doors, each furnished with a heavy 

 chain fastened to a ring in the wall, and were originally constructed 

 for inquisitorial victims, and those suspected of political offences. 

 There were about two hundred persons confined here for various 

 crimes, real or alleged, in 1824, and no food is provided for them by 

 government, nor any indulgence except water. A religious society, 

 however, called the Misericordia, or Order of Mercy, is allowed to fur- 

 nish the poor wretches with meal, soup, and other provisions ; and 

 obtains the means by soliciting charitable donations in all parts of 

 the city. 



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