STAY AT CAPITANIA. 15T 



building or town-hall.) On a high hill covered with wood, immedi- 

 ately adjoining the town, stands the celebrated convent of Nossa Sen- 

 hora da Penha, one of the richest in Brazil, dependent on the abbey of 

 St. Bento at Rio de Janeiro. It is said to possess a wonder-working image 

 of the Madonna, for which reason numerous pilgrims resort thither. 

 At the period of our visit there were only two ecclesiastics on the spot. 



It is well worth the trouble to ascend the steep eminence in order 

 to enjoy the inexpressibly grand prospect which there offers itself to 

 the view ; it overlooks the wide expanse of the ocean, and on the 

 land side fine chains of mountains, and various peaks, with interme- 

 diate valleys, from which the broad river issues in the most pictu- 

 resque manner. The town consists of low clay huts, is unpaved, and 

 evidently going to decay, since the building of Villa de Victoria, half 

 a league farther up the river on the north bank : this is a pretty little 

 place, and has been raised since my departure to the rank of cidade. 

 Espirito Santo was formerly a subordinate government, but was after- 

 wards made a capitania. The Cidade de Nossa Senhora da Victoria 

 is a pretty neat place, with considerable buildings, constructed in the 

 old Portuguese style, with balconies of wooden lattices, paved streets, 

 a tolerably large town-hall, and the Jesuits' convent, occupied by the 

 governor, who has a company of regular troops at his disposal. 



Besides several convents, there are a church, four chapels, and an 

 hospital. The town is however rather dull, and visitors, being very 

 uncommon, are objects of great curiosity. The coasting-trade is not 

 unimportant ; several vessels are in consequence always lying here, 

 and frigates can sail up to the town. The neighbouring /rt;:e;«f/ff5 

 produce much sugar, mandiocca flour and rice, bananas, and other 

 articles, which are exported along the coast. Several forts protect 

 the entrance of the fine river Espirito Santo: one directly at the 

 mouth; a second battery built of stone higher up, with eight iron 

 guns ; and still farther up, on the hill between the latter and the 



