90 



PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 



veniences for our repast, rendered doubly grateful by the noble peculiarity of the 

 surrounding objects. We afterwards crossed the stream, and attempted to 

 explore the precipitous ascent of the Gavea, 



" Whose hairy sides. 

 With thicket overgrown, grotesque aiul wild, 

 Access denied ; and overhead up grew 

 Insuperable height of loftiest shade, 

 A woodj theatre of stateliest view." 



With cautious steps we retraced our way, and the feelings which the wild and 

 romantic nature of the scene inspired were heightened by the murmuring waters 

 of the hidden cascades. The district of Tejuco is extensive, and belongs 

 principally to one individual, the Conde d'Asceca. 



The commerce of the Brazil has increased much since it was thrown open, 

 particularly in British manufactures, as they are now generally used throughout 

 the whole territory. That this augmentation of British commercial intercourse 

 with that country, as well as the aggregate sum of the whole since its com- 

 mencement, has been essentially disadvantageous to the merchants and manu- 

 facturers of England, reducing it into one account, is unquestionable. Suppose 

 the shipments of all goods since the first, to a certain period, where a line could 

 be drawn, were placed on one side at prime cost, and the returns for those 

 shipments in produce, bills, or specie, placed on the other side, (without taking 

 into view the occasional great losses sustained by the sale of the produce,) it 

 would then be too clearly demonstrated, and exhibit by the comparison an 

 actual loss, amounting to a very serious sum. The testimony of one or two 

 merchants connected with this trade since its origin would suffice to show the 

 immense sacrifices British property experienced soon after this new channel 

 induced such large speculations through its medium, as well as the continued 

 sacrifices that have been made at different periods since. Even the years 1819 

 and 1820, and especially what has passed of the present one, have been distin- 

 guished by considerable losses; and, if further corroboration were required, the 

 innumerable failures in England caused solely by this deterioration of property 

 might be adduced. I speak of the trade as a whole, allowing that a great 

 many persons have done well in it, and some made fortunes, particularly the 

 commission-merchants ; but I mean to submit, that the advantages those indi- 

 viduals have derived will not bear the test of comparison with the losses sus- 

 tained by others. The Brazilians, particularly at Rio, have acquired no incon- 

 siderable gains out of the unfortunate circumstances detailed ; besides, they 



