74 RIO DE JANE mo. April 



chief, giving directions for the positions to be taken forthwith 

 by the ships of his squadron then present, and orders for the 

 boats to be prepared for landing marines. This was in conse- 

 quence of one of those disturbances ahnost usual in South 

 America, especially in Brazil. Some outrages had been com- 

 mitted in the town, and a mutiny had broken out among the 

 troops. Under old and established governments, revolt and 

 mutiny are events which so seldom occur that their shock is 

 not only felt at the time, but transmits vibrations through suc- 

 ceeding ages. In these unsettled states, however, they recur so 

 frequently, that even on the spot they cause little sensation, and 

 excepting by those personally concerned, are scarcely remem- 

 bered afterwards. 



Few strangers visit the metropolis of Brazil without being 

 disappointed, if not disgusted. Numbers of almost naked 

 negroes, hastening along narrow streets — offensive sights and 

 smells, an uncivil and ill-looking native population — indis- 

 pose one to be pleased, even with novelty ; but impressions 

 such as these soon wear off. In the environs of the city are 

 many good houses, in beautiful situations ; and while enjoying 

 delightful rides amidst the richest and most varied scenery, or 

 resting in the shade of a veranda, refreshed by the sea-breeze, 

 and overlooking a prospect hardly to be surpassed in the world 

 the annoyances and the nuisances of the town are forgotten. 



With respect to astronomical observations, I was extremely 

 unfortunate at Rio de Janeiro, except in those simple ones for 

 time and latitude, which depend upon sextants and artificial 

 horizons. Being the rainy season, but few nights were favour- 

 able for observing the transits of stars with the moon, and 

 those lew were too near the full moon to be available. But had 

 the weather been otherwise, I doubt whether I should have 

 obtained satisfactory results, because the transit instrument 

 employed was of an inferior construction, and still more, 

 because I was unaccustomed to its use. So much time was 

 employed, to the prejudice of other duties, in adjusting and 

 re-adjusting this imperfect instrument, and ineffectually watch- 

 ing for intervals of clear sky, that I resolved to set up the transit 



