48 



PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 



of whom have since received titles,) but which influence was counteracted in 

 some measure by the Queen. This fidalgo was afterwards sent as captain- 

 general to Bahia, where he displayed considerable ability at the time the revo- 

 lution burst forth at Pernambuco, and otherwise advanced the prosperity of 

 the province. The termination of the Pernambucan revolt was attributed to 

 the prompt measures which he adopted. He is now minister of marine in this 

 city. His son received the Hon. Mr. Thornton, our minister at the Brazilian 

 court, on his landing at the Palace-stairs, for whom and his suite three of the 

 royal state carriages were in waiting. It was affirmed, that no minister had ever 

 been received Avith greater marks of respect. This city is situated in a plain, 

 the major part of which, in former times was washed by the sea, at the base of 

 an accumulation of small hills and mountains of all elevations upon its southern 

 precincts. It extends about two miles in length, from east to west. Its northern 

 side is enclosed by a cordon of five mountains, all oblong, and which leave 

 space only for one street, betwixt their eastern base and the pria (beach.) 

 The central one of these mountains is the highest and most extensive : betwixt 

 some of them, there are streets or roads leading to the margin of the bay. 

 Upon the eastern and lowest elevation is situated the monastery of St. Bento. 

 The adjoining one is crowned with the fort of Concei(^ao, and the episcopal 

 palace. On the western one, there is a chapel of St. Diogo, and upon the 

 central one towards the beach, another of Our Lady of Livramento. 



In front of the granite rock, upon which St. Bento stands, is the island of 

 Cobras, or Snakes, which is one hundred and sixty-five fathoms long, from east 

 to west, and proportionably wide, not very high, and fortified, having within 

 its precincts a loathsome prison, generally appropriated to the confinement of 

 state prisoners, to which, however, Englishmen have been occasionally sent, 

 for trifling irregularities in regard to passports and other matters of no serious 

 import. There are two trapiches, or warehouses, upon its margin next the chan- 

 nel, which is about one hundred and fifty yards in width. At its northern en- 

 trance, merchant vessels lie for the purpose of discharging and taking in their 

 cargoes, which are performed by large barges, at no inconsiderable expense. 

 Almost north-west from the granite rocks of St. Diogo, at a distance of about 

 three quarters of a mile across a point of the bay, and upon a gentle eminence, 

 is situated the hospital of Lazaros, which has a very commanding appearance, 

 and was formerly a house of recreation belonging to the Jesuits, but is now used 

 as a barrack for a regiment of Cassadores, from Portugal, who perform the 

 duty of royal guard at the palace of St. Christovao, about a mile distant from it. 

 Between the rocks of St. Diogo and the lazaretto, a branch of the bay forms a 



