382 



PROVINCE OF PERNAMBUCO. 



of barrier, denominated a varadoiro, which impedes the further advance of the 

 tide, and accumulates the fresh water above. This bulwark, which also serves 

 as a bridge or passage over the river to Ollinda, is in part covered by a hand- 

 some archway, below which the water passes through circular spouts, and at the 

 other parts by larger and square channels ; presenting altogether twenty-four 

 mouths, from whence the water issues in spray, forming many pleasing cas- 

 cades. From hence it is conveyed in covered canoes for the supply of the 

 Recife. The water of the Capibaribe is also brought in canoes from Monteiro. 



The port of Recife, which is not deep enough for vessels of a large class, is 

 amongst the most wonderful works of nature. A recife, or chain of reef, which 

 extends itself from the entrance of Bahia to Cape St. Roque, parallel with and 

 at no great distance from the shore, in no part appears so much like an operation 

 of human art as here. It is prolonged for the space of a league in a direct line 

 with and about two hundred yards from the beach, having the aspect of a large 

 flat wall, being always above the level of the sea, and at low water six feet is 

 discovered. This reef, which is perpendicular on the land side, and gradually 

 declining on the other, here suddenly disappears opposite the most northern 

 part of the Recife, having on its extremity the fort of Picao, and forming a fine 

 harbour, which must have been the sole inducement for the foundation of the 

 capital in this situation. Vessels entering the port navigate as near as possible 

 to the internal side of the reef, where they require much depth till they arrive at 

 the most commodious place of anchorage. The occasionally agitated ocean 

 here finds its bounds, and dashes in tumultuous and angry waves against the 

 reef, the foaming spray not disturbing the smooth water within, but affording a 

 delightfully cooling freshness, as well as an interesting spectacle, to the houses 

 situated upon the beach, and principally occupied in stores by the merchants. 

 Large ships anchor to the north of the fort of Picao, in a bay without shelter, front- 

 ing the forts of Brunand Buraco, situated upon the before-mentioned sand-bank. 

 The fort of Brun, which the Dutch commenced on the 25th of June, 1631, and 

 gave it the name of a maternal relative of their General Theodore, had for some 

 time among the Pernambucanans the appellation of Perreril. 



This place, while yet of little consequence, was taken by the Dutch in 1630, 

 who retained it for twenty-four years, and did more for it in public works during 

 that time, as was candidly admitted to me by a Portuguese gentleman holding 

 a public situation here, than has ever been done since. Among the monu- 

 ments M^hich attest the spirit of improvement that marked the Dutch possession 



