72 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



well as pleasant, situation ; but neglect and filth appear to be depriving 

 it of these natural advantages. 



Near to the Lapa is another College. This, too, is a good, substan- 

 tial, extensive building ; but, like the other, greatly neglected. It is dirty, 

 the lattice windows want repairing, the fences are broken down, the gardens 

 lie waste, all around are puddles retaining the dirty water of this part of 

 the town, and the whole place has an air of desolation ; nevertheless it is 

 said to be wealthy. — Since this note was taken, I find that the college has 

 been suppressed, and the Carmelite friars removed to it, when their con- 

 vent was added to the Royal residence. 



Another College, more respectable in its appearance and management 

 than the former, stands in the narrow and dirty Rua do St. Joaquim, and 

 bears the same name with the street. Here the learned profess to educate 

 young people for employments in the state, and to teach such sciences, in par- 

 ticular, as may fit them for this destination. But though the Government 

 lends its countenance to the institution, the number of scholars is small, 

 and, indeed, the house is not capable of receiving many. They are dis- 

 tinguished by white woollen garments, but the state of the rooms ill 

 agrees with the colour of the dress. Attached to this college is an excel- 

 lent small chapel, which commands a view up a wide street to the church 

 da St\ Anna. It is observable, that no one of the colleges, besides this, 

 has a place for divine worship connected with it. 



The Bishop's palace, which seems a link, whereby ecclesiastical 

 buildings are united with civil and domestic ones, stands upon a hill 

 North of the city, over which it commands an admirable view. It is 

 large, though the upper part only can be considered as the abode of the 

 Bishop ; the lower being partly piazzas, and partly offices. A wretched 

 neighbourhood, at the foot of the hill, serves as a foil to its neatness. The 

 ascending road, bad in itself, is incumbered with all sorts of filth. Behind 

 it is a garden, and a back road, which communicates with one of the 

 strongest forts in the city. 



Few things can excite greater surprise in the mind of a British 

 merchant than a first visit to the chief commercial and financial establish- 



