216 



TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



ourselves with some roasted potatoes and a wooden 

 bench as a bed. The stars shone with uncommon 

 radiance ; a pale light lay over the gloomy forest ; 

 the silence of this retreat was interrupted only by 

 the murmuring of distant streams ; and lost in the 

 contemplation of this attractive scene, we cheer- 

 fully resigned ourselves to the refreshment of sleep. 



Towards daybreak we proceeded towards the 

 quarter from which we heard the sounds of the 

 water, and just as the sun was rising, were at the 

 declivity of a high rock, from which a crystal 

 brook, partly dissolved into mist, fell from a height 

 of nearly a hundred feet into the valley. The view 

 of this sublime scene reminded us of the cascades 

 of Naples and Tivoli, the ornaments of a similar, 

 but far less rich and magnificent landscape. At the 

 bottom of the valley and near the cascade stands a 

 simple pleasant cottage, where we were welcomed 

 by Mr. Tonay, an estimable French painter who 

 resides with his family in this secluded spot. We 

 parted with reluctance from this lovely place, and 

 continued our journey south-south-west, towards 

 the opposite declivity of the mountain. Passing 

 over thickly wooded hills, we came to a deep valley, 

 and at length to the foot of the Gavia, a pictur- 

 esque granite rock, which rises close to the eastern 

 banks of Lake Camorim, and by its sombre crags 

 and woods hanging over the smooth mirror of the 

 water, reminded us of the lonely lakes of Switzer- 

 land, and the principality of Saltzburg. The 



