TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



contemplation of nature. The variety of the Hght 

 and of the foHage of the trees, which is seen on 

 the forests, on the slopes of the mountain, the 

 blending of the most diverse colours, and the dark 

 azure and transparency of the sky, impart to the 

 landscapes of the tropical countries a charm to 

 which even the pencil of a Salvator Rosa and a 

 Claude cannot do justice. The road gradually 

 rises, and when, after passing over low woody 

 hills, we arrived, towards evening, at the foot of the 

 mountain, our hospitable friend bid us welcome on 

 his own domain. Mr. Von I^angsdorff had but 

 just begun to cultivate this fazenda, which is of 

 the great extent of more than a square mile, but 

 had been entirely neglected. A spacious shed 

 {ranclio) for the reception of the numerous cara- 

 vans from Minas, a venda, where brandy is sold, 

 a mill for grinding maize, and a small dwelling- 

 house for the proprietor, in the usual style of the 

 country, were erected on the road-side. These 

 small country-houses contain some plain rooms 

 with latticed windows, or shutters ; the roof gene- 

 rally projects on one side, some feet beyond the 

 wall, and resting on some pillars, and a low wall, 

 forms the veranda. Such buildings are commonly 

 of lath connected together by tough creeping 

 plants (sipo), covered with clay, and white- washed. 

 The clayey soil may almost everywhere be made 

 into good bricks, or, if they are considered too 



