TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



BOOK II. 

 CHAPTER I. 



STAY IN RIO DE JANEIRO. 



On the morning of the following day, the 15th 

 of July, we went on shore, rowing through the busy 

 crowd of European vessels, and little boats manned 

 with negroes and mulattoes. Ascending the slope 

 of a very fine molo (quay), of hewn granite, we 

 were at once in the principal square of the city, 

 which is formed by the royal palace and several con- 

 siderable private buildings. It was with great diffi- 

 culty that we made our way through the noisy crowd 

 of black, brown, half-naked men, who, with the 

 importunity which is peculiar to them, offered their 

 services. Passing through several straight streets, 

 crossing each other at right angles, we at length 

 reached the Italian inn, at that time the only one 

 in the capital of Brazil, where we found accom- 



K 2 



