PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 



49 



small creek, which separates the Cidade Nova from the village of Matta Porcas. 

 The bridge of St. Diogo, by which they communicate, is constructed of wood. 

 The beach leading from St. Bento to this point, describes several windings and 

 sweeping crescents, formed by projecting headlands, in one of which, upon 

 the side of a gently ascending hill, the English burial-ground presents a con- 

 spicuous object. In sailing along the bay, the neat white building that crowns 

 it, the over hanging trees dispersed about, with the already accumulating tomb- 

 stones, produce a coiTesponding interest in a feeling mind, on passing the bones 

 of countrymen, resting in a situation so picturesque and sadly tranquil, far 

 removed from their native land. May you rest undisturbed, said I, at the 

 sight, and may those estimable relatives and friends who pay the departed 

 spirits the tribute of affectionate remembrance, journey through life in peace 

 and prosperity. 



The houses of Rio de Janeiro are generally built of stone, one story high, 

 with balconies, which formerly were barricadoed with latticed doors and win- 

 dows, but these were ordered to be removed after the arrival of the royal 

 family. The ground floors, which are not used as shops or stores, still exhibit 

 this miserable and gloomy aspect of closely latticed windows and doors. In 

 the upper part of the latter, wooden latticed windows are introduced, and the 

 whole are most commonly suspended from the top lintel, secured with hinges. 

 The inmates push them outwards, with their hands or heads, for the purpose of 

 obtaining a side view of what is passing in the streets. Numbers of the inhabit- 

 ants of this city are thus seen resting upon their elbows, the head projecting 

 the lower points of those hanging windows, frequently to the annoyance of per- 

 sons passing along the very narrow footways. 



The streets cross each other at right angles. The Rua Direita, running north 

 and south from the base of the St. Bento Hill to the Palace Square, is the best 

 and widest in the city, and the principal head of others branching off in a 

 westerly direction, which are crossed, at certain distances, by other streets 

 running in a parallel line with the first. Amongst those leading from the Rua 

 Direita, may be enumerated the Rua dos Pescadores, Rua do Sabao, Rua 

 d'Alfandigo, and the Rua d'Ouvidor ; which latter is the chief outlet to three 

 or four roads leading from the suburbs of the city, and is, in consequence, 

 tolerably thronged with cabriolets, carriages, mules, and horsemen. 



The streets being very narrow, foot passengers experience many inconve- 

 niences, and not the least from horsemen, who do not scruple to ride upon the 

 narrow foot-path, which scarcely admits of two people passing, in order to 



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