RESIDENCE AT RIO DE JANEIRO. 



29 



tary air distinguishes the former ; while the latter are remarkably 

 effeminate and indolent : these qualities are carried to such an excess, 

 that they have their arms carried home from the parade by negro 

 slaves ! 



From a traveller who has made but a short stay in this city, a 

 complete description of the place and its mhabitants will not be ex- 

 pected ; we may, however, look for some very interesting details from 

 the many Europeans now residing here for the express purpose of 

 collecting useful mformation. 



I landed at Rio in the winter of the tropical climates, at a tempe- 

 rature equal to the heat of our w armest summer-days ; I naturally 

 expected rain, but was very agreeably disappointed, as not a single 

 drop fell, proving the inaccuracy of a very prevalent notion, that it 

 rains continually during the cool season in the hot climates of America. 

 My letters of recommendation obtained for me a very kind reception 

 in some houses ; and I cannot omit naming M. Westin, the Swedish 

 consul, M. Von Langsdorff, consul-general of Russia, Mr. Cham- 

 berlain, the English charge-d'affaires, and M. S^^ertskoff, Russian 

 envoy, as these gentlemen exerted themselves to render my stay both 

 useful and pleasant. Nor do I forget my countryman, Major Feld- 

 ner, of^the Engineers, who gave me many proofs of kindness. To 

 them I am indebted for several very agreeable excursions, which 

 enabled me to become acquainted with the beautiful environs of Rio. 

 One of these was peculiarly interesting, as it procured me the fix'st 

 sight of the aboriginal inhabitants of Brazil. The village of St. 

 Lourenzo is the only place in the neighbourhood of the capital, where 

 there are still some remains of the once numerous native tribes. 

 We left the city with a large party, conducted by Captain Perreira, 

 who was well acquainted with the country, and crossed a part of the 

 bay of Rio. The weather was uncommonly fine, and every moment 

 gave rise to new scenes of the most picturesque description. 



