58 



A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



dition without contributing something to its results. He 

 improvised a fishing apparatus, with a stick, a string, and 

 a crooked pin, and caught two fishes, our first harvest 

 from the fresh waters of Brazil, one of which was en- 

 tirely new to Mr. Agassiz, while the other he had never 

 seen, and only knew from descriptions. 



April 2Sth. — This morning we went over to the Colorado, 

 which still lies in the harbor, and where the visit of the 

 Emperor was expected. We all felt an interest in the 

 occasion, for we have a kind of personal pride in the 

 fine ship whose first voyage has been the source of so 

 much enjoyment to us. The Imperial yacht arrived punc- 

 tually at twelve o'clock, and was received by the captain 

 with a full salute from his Parrott guns, fired with a prompt- 

 ness and accuracy which the Emperor did not fail to notice. 

 His Majesty went over the whole steamer ; and really an 

 exploring expedition over such a world in little, with its 

 provision-shops, its cattle stalls, its pantries and sculleries, 

 its endless accommodations for passengers and freight, its 

 variety of decks and its great central fires, deep below 

 all, is no contemptible journey for a tropical morning. 

 The arrangements of the vessel seemed to excite the in- 

 terest and admiration both of the Emperor and his suite. 

 Captain Bradbury invited his Majesty to lunch on board ; 

 he very cordially accepted, and remained some time after- 

 ward, conversing chiefly about scientific subjects, and es- 

 pecially on matters connected with the expedition. The 

 Emperor is still a young man ; but though only forty, 

 he has been the reigning sovereign of Brazil for more than 

 half that time, and he looks careworn and somewhat older 

 than his years. He has a dignified, manly presence, a face 

 rather stern in repose, but animated and genial in conversa- 

 tion ; his manner is courteous and friendly to all. 



