PROVINXE OF PERNAMBUCO. 



355 



CHAP. XVII. 



PROVINCE OF PERNAMBUCO. 



Voyage from Rio de Janeiro — First Donatories — Taken hy the Dutch — Resto- 

 ration — Reversion to the Crown — Indians — boundaries — Mountains — Colony 

 of Negroes — Mineralogy — Zoology — Phytology — Rivers — Islands — Comarcas 

 of Ollinda, Recife, Alagoas — Povoacdes — Ouvidoria of the Certam of Pernam- 

 buco — Rivers — Towns — Recife, or Pernambuco — Ollinda — Mattutos — State of 

 Society — Apathy — Environs — Revolution in 1817 — Military Government — 

 Adoption of a Neiv Constitution— Holidays — Produce— Inspection — Sugar 

 Engenho — Contribution Fund — Population — Fribourg House. 



On the 14th of November, I proceeded on board the brig Cohirabine, Captain 

 Thomson, lying in the bay of Rio de Janeiro, for the purpose of visiting Pernam- 

 buco. A contrary wind prevented our departure for five days. The party on 

 board consisted of Colonel Cotter, his lady and children, Captain Rezende, 

 and Mons. Garay. By way of rendering our detention less tedious, we made 

 two or three excursions to the eastern side of the bay. Our first visit was to 

 the small rocky island with the church of Boa Viagem situated on its summit. 

 We were denied access, from the orders of government, that strangers were not 

 to be admitted up the steep, in consequence of a new fort then erecting upon it. 

 We were therefore excluded from the blessing usually granted at this church to 

 persons upon the point of undertaking a voyage. It was formerly the general 

 custom, and is at present not uncommon, for navigators and others previously 

 to embarking upon the ocean, to present offerings here, receiving in return 

 the prayers of the padre for a good voyage ; and hence the place is called 

 Boa Viagem. 



The boat proceeded round this island into the bay of Jurufuba, for the pur- 

 pose of obtaining an additional supply of water. We walked round the back 

 of the hills that edge this bay to the fountain, where the water-casks were 

 filled. Our road led by a delightful pathway embowered by verdant trees inter- 

 mixed with orange, banana, and other fruits. Here and there a house of good 



