PROVINCE OF PERNAMBUCO. 



383 



of this part of the Brazil, there is (or was a few years ago) a stone of European 

 marble bearing the following inscription : 



Op Gebouwt 

 onder 

 D'Hooge Regeiinge 

 van 



Praesid' en Raden, 

 Anno MDCLII.* 



This stone was seen by several of the English merchants within the last three 

 years at the door of the church of Corpo Santo, among the masonry work 

 destined for the completion of this fine edifice; but it certainly is not introduced 

 into the walls of the building, nor could I discover any trace of it. 



The before-mentioned forts, and that of Cinco Pontas, at the southern ex- 

 tremity of St. Antonio, are the principal ones that defend the place ; the two 

 first are in good order. 



A league to the south of Recife, near the southern arm of the Capibaribe, is 

 the arraial of Affbgadas, which is increasing, and is ornamented with three 

 hermitages, of Nossa Senhora of Paz, of Rozario, and of St. Miguel. There 

 is here a wooden bridge communicating with St, Antonio. 



The city of OUinda, which, as has been observed, constitutes a part of Per- 

 nambuco, was burnt by the Dutch in 1631, and is beautifully situated upon a 

 cluster of eminences, which are the commencement of a small cordillera, that 

 extends itself towards the interior of the continent. It was in former times 

 rich, flourishing, and powerful, and was erected into an episcopal city in the 

 year 1676, but continued to fall into decay, and is at present poor and thinly 

 inhabited, owing to the vicinity of the town of Recife, which has deprived it 

 of all its commerce. It is, however, a fine retreat for the studious, convalescent, 

 or misanthropical, who seek retirement from the tumult and bustle of the world. 

 It has a house of misericordia, with its hospital, a recolhimento, or Magdalen 



* Erected 

 under 



the Illustrious Government 

 of the 

 President and Council 

 in the year 1652, 



