PROVINCE OF RIO DE JAl^EIRO. 



41 



which is excavated in large pieces, and sawn for the purpose of forming the 

 mouths of furnaces in engenhos, or sugar-works, being considered of eternal 

 duration. The principal confluent of this tributary river is Piracinunga, the 

 main branch of which originates between the high points of the Organ Moun- 

 tains. Betwixt the rivers Macacu and Guapiassu there is a certain portion of 

 territory, comprising about two leagues, the most fertile in the district, which was 

 bequeathed, in 1718, by Andre da Costa, as a legacy to some poor persons, with 

 inalienable succession, and an annual pension of two missas, (masses,) for each 

 house. This colony has now arrived at the number of twelve hundred indi- 

 viduals, and this bequest would maintain ten times as many, with adequate 

 industry. The Guaxindiba flows from the SerraTaypu, and, describing numerous 

 windings and turnings, enters the bay about two miles from the Macacu. The 

 Emboassu, disemboguing four miles further, has its source in the Serra St. Gon- 

 ^alo, and is navigable with the tide for a short distance. 



The islands with which this bay is ornamented are numerous, but of inconsider- 

 able extent. The principal is the isle of Governador, which is little more than two 

 leagues long, from east to west, and proportionably wide. Itis of an irregular form, 

 having many headlands, and small creeks, and forms the parish of Our Lady of 

 Ajuda. The parishioners are generally agriculturists and labourers. It is situated 

 almost in the middle of the bay. The isle of Bom Jesus, but better known by 

 the name of Frades, is about two miles long, from east to west, and of trifling 

 width. It is the site of a convent of lazy Franciscans, which has a handsome 

 and commanding appearance. The King visits the island occasionally, on the 

 celebration of some particular religious festivity. He spent two or three days 

 with the friars in the summer of 1819. It is not far distant from his palace of 

 St. Christovao. The island of Paqueta possesses more natural charms than any 

 other in the bay, and is situated near its northern extremity. It is about three miles 

 long, from north to south, and of inconsiderable width. Its whole extent con- 

 stitutes the parish of Bom Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount.) A con- 

 siderable quantity of the timber and branches of the mango tree is exported to 

 the capital for fire-wood. 



Angra dos Reys, the other bay alluded to, is much larger than that of Rio, 

 presenting less regularity, with three entrances open to the south, formed by two 

 islands, Ilha Grande and Marambaya, lying in a parallel line with the coast. 

 The western entrance, denominated Cayrussu, is situated betwixt Ilha Grande 

 and Joatinga Point, on the continent. Bom-Abrigo (Good Shelter) was the name 

 given by the first discoverers to this point. The entrance is eight miles wide, 



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