160 



TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



fragrant shrubs of Brazil, an enchanting prospect 

 over the city and part of the bay. Nothing can be 

 compared to the beauty of this retreat, when the 

 most sultry hours of the day are past, and gentle 

 breezes, impregnated with balsamic perfumes from 

 the neighbouring wooded mountains, cool the air. 

 This enjoyment continues to increase as the night 

 spreads over the land and the sea, which shines at 

 a distance, and the city, where the noise of busi- 

 ness has subsided, is gradually lighted. He who 

 has not personally experienced the enchantment of 

 tranquil moonlight nights in these happy latitudes, 

 can never be inspired, even by the most faithful 

 description, with those feelings which scenes of 

 such wondrous beauty excite in the mind of the 

 beholder. A delicate transparent mist hangs over 

 the country, the moon shines brightly amidst heavy 

 and singularly grouped clouds, the outlines of the 

 objects which are illuminated by it are clear and 

 well defined, while a magic twilight seems to re- 

 move from the eye those which are in shade. 

 Scarce a breath of air is stirring, and the neigh- 

 bouring mimosas, that have folded up their leaves 

 to sleep, stand motionless beside the dark crowns 

 of the manga, the jaca, and the etherial jambos * ; 

 or sometimes a sudden wind arises, and the juice- 

 less leaves of the acaju t rustle, the richly flowered 



* Mangifera indica, Artocarpus integrifolia, and Eugenia 

 lambos, L. 

 f Anacardium occidentale, L. 



