RIO DE JANEIRO AND ITS ENVIRONS. 



77 



of the admirable system of irrigation introduced over the 

 whole estate. So rapid is the growth of everything here 

 that one can hardly believe this beautiful country place to 

 have been under cultivation only five or six years ; a few 

 years more under the same direction will make it a tropi- 

 cal paradise. 



A variety of plans combining pleasure and science had 

 been arranged for the next day. First on the list, was a 

 drive to the " Forest of the Empress." Everything of any 

 interest in the neighborhood recalls the visit of the Im- 

 perial family at the opening of the road. From this event 

 all loyal Juiz de Forans date, and the virgin forest we were 

 to visit is consecrated by the fact that on this great occasion 

 the Emperor with his family and suite breakfasted here in 

 presence of a numerous assemblage of their loving subjects. 

 Surely a more stately banqueting-hall could scarcely be 

 found. The throne was cut in the broad buttressed trunk 

 of a huge figueira ; the rustic table, built of rough stems, 

 stood under the shadow of great palm-trees ; and around 

 was the tropical, forest, tapestried with vines, and embroi- 

 dered with Orchids. These were royal accompaniments, 

 even though the whole entertainment was conducted with 

 a simplicity in harmony with the scene. Neither gold nor 

 silver nor glass was brought to vie with the beauties 

 of nature ; the drinking-cups were made from the hollow 

 stems of the wild bamboo-tree, and all the service was 

 of the same rustic description. The tables, seats, &c. 

 stand, undisturbed, as they were on that day, and of course 

 this spot remains a favorite resort for humbler picnics than 

 the one by which it was inaugurated. We wandered about 

 for some time in the cool shade of the wood, lunched under 

 the rustling nalms, and then drove homeward, stopping for a 



