58 NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



within its boundaries the Royal Palace. I have heard that, in old times, 

 under the Vicereys, when the Host was carried to any person within the 

 limits of the parish, it was conveyed in the Governor's carriage. This 

 custom is laid aside, much to the discontent of the priests, who love 

 pomp, and of the parishioners, who would be distinguished in sickness 

 and death ; but they hope it will be revived, when the Royal Family 

 becomes more settled. At present, the processions of the Host occur too 

 often, on occasions too frivolous, and are attended by too many noisy 

 boys, to be either respectable or impressive. 



The church of Nossa Senhora do Rozario is a small mean looking 

 building, with a low steeple, furnished with two bells, a rare circum- 

 stance in Rio. In the front, which faces the East, is a small inclosure, 

 the wall of which is in a most dilapidated state. The interior of the 

 church is dark and dismal ; the altar, though rather spacious, is heavy 

 and dirty, and upon it are two lamps always burning, the light of which 

 is visible in the front a long way down the street. A considerable open 

 space surrounds the church, but several buildings are encroaching upon 

 it, and the passages all around are most offensively filthy. 



Santa Rita has an edifice dedicated to her in the Rua dos Ourives. 

 It is more modern than the former, more light and cheerful. Its front 

 communicates with a small square, ornamented with a Cross. The 

 architecture is a very favourable display of recent workmanship, the 

 walls are not destitute of ornament, the altar rich and splendid. 



The church of the Candelaria is a noble pile of building, the best 

 specimen of taste and magnificence which Rio can boast. It is not yet 

 finished, but, being situated near tlie centre of the city, wall probably be 

 more frequented than any other church. It has two steeples, and a richly 

 ornamented front, and forms a fine object from the water. 



Besides these there are several other churches, which do not pretend 

 to parochial honours. In Rua Direita is that of the Cross, like the 

 preceding, unfinished. It has a fine well proportioned front, adorned 

 with the figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity. It has been entirely 

 built by the military, and is appropriated to their use. 



