I 



62 



PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 



frequented by the royal family, and is bounded by beautifully verdant hedges, 

 and some neat shacaras, and is not dissimilar in appearance to the green lanes, 

 leading from London to Southgate. It is the limit of the King's shacara on the 

 right. About three quarters of a mile from its commencement is situated the 

 Casa de Don Pedro, recently effected in the form of a castle, with a flag-staff 

 at the top, the ground-floor consisting of one good sized room, and four smaller, 

 covered with India matting, and furnished with chairs and sofas, but by no 

 means in a royal style. From the palace to this casa is a favourite walk of 

 the King's; the interval forms the royal shacara, and is laid out in walks, 

 crossing each other at right angles, shaded by an abundant variety of trees, 

 which have been planted only within the last few years, and demonstrate by 

 their state of maturity, the exuberant fertility of the soil and climate. 



The road continues from hence, across a brook, by a wooden bridge, which 

 bounds the King's shacara on that side ; and very near to it is the royal mill, 

 which is yet far from being completed, although it was begun five or six years 

 ago. It is intended to have one water-wheel and four pair of mill-stones. 

 The model of the building and the machinery were sent from Lisbon. When 

 the mill is finished, it is expected to grind forty sacks of wheat during the day 

 and night, for which the public will be charged two crusades (about five shillings) 

 per sack, of three alqueiras, or about three and a half of Winchester bushels. 



One hundred yards further is situated Bella-fonta, the fine shacara of Mr. 

 Wright, under whose roof I received every kindness and hospitality possible, 

 during my residence at Rio ; and am happy in this opportunity of acknowledg- 

 ing, in common with all who know him, the high estimation I entertain of his 

 character. 



Within the circuit of the roads described, the valley of Engenho Velho is 

 adorned with numerous neat shacaras, abounding with walks formed of oranges, 

 and all the fruit trees of the tropics. Many give the preference to a residence 

 on the Cateta side ; but, in consequence of the royal family frequenting this 

 quarter, I think the spirit of improvement shows itself more decidedly in this 

 direction, and although the sea breezes do not reach it, the land breezes from 

 the adjacent mountains, sweeping along the valley, render the mornings and 

 evenings particularly delightful. The dews are here profuse. 



I accompanied a gentleman, in the month of September, to see the Casa de 

 Don Pedro, from whence we proceeded along the delightfully shaded walks of 

 the shacara to the palace, which is in the progress of augmentation by some 

 buildings under the inspection of Mr. Johnson, who came to the Brazil with 



