64 



NOTES OiST BRAZIL. 



Paula, are the exterior walls of what would, probably, have been a noble 

 edifice. It was begun by the Jesuits for their church ; the destruction of 

 the order occasioned it to be left unfinished. Part of it is now covered, 

 and converted into schools ; some of those of St. Joachim being 

 removed thither. 



There are also, in several parts of the city, arches erected against the 

 walls of the houses, and inclosed with large folding-doors. These 

 contain a representation of the Saviour, a picture or image of a saint, or 

 some of the insignia of religion. The doors are opened only on especial 

 occasions, and are then surrounded by a superstitious, but noisy and 

 indecorous crowd. At several corners of the streets, also, are placed 

 images of the Virgin Mary, some of them standing in large glass cases ; 

 during the day curtains are drawn around them, but at the hour of 

 vespers the curtains are withdrawn, some pious people place a few candles 

 before each image, and oblige their slaves to appear there and sing the 

 Ave Marias. This is done without the least shadow of devotion, and 

 appeared to us Protestants to be pre-eminent among the indecent and 

 offensive practices of its kind. We were less shocked when we saw 

 persons of a religious cast falling upon their knees, in the public streets, 

 and paying their homage to a log so rotten as to indicate some appre- 

 hension that it might fall upon- them. But it seemed as if they dared 

 not omit such ceremonies, a superstitious dread having taken full 

 possession of their minds. Certainly they need not those heralds of 

 devotion, which are employed in other Christian countries ; bells are 

 few, and seldom used for this purpose, though religious ceremonies are 

 announced and accompanied by rockets and other fire-works ; a custom 

 adopted, probably, when the churches were surrounded by native 

 Indians, and calculated to produce a powerful effect upon their minds. 



In the Rua do Rozario stands the Hospicio, with its chapel. This 

 is the house to which Ecclesiastics resort, when travelUng, who have no 

 particular friends in the city, and are not of consequence enough to 

 procure an invitation to one of the convents. Here they are accommo* 

 dated, during their stay, with food and . lodging suitable to their 

 peculiar habits. 



