NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



77 



semicircular recess, about twenty feet in diameter, the platform is six 

 feet above the level of the street, and is reached by a flight of steps, on 

 the right of w^hich is a spacious trough for watering horses, on the other 

 side a similar one for washing clothes. In the front, above these, is a 

 handsome railing, and, where this joins the curve on each side, a circular 

 station for centinels. On each side of the front is a square pilaster, about 

 twenty feet high ; one of them supports a figure of Diana, in the 

 character of a huntress, the other a man, who, perhaps, may be the 

 representative of Acteeon; the figures are of bronze, but clumsily 

 executed. Ttound the curve are stone seats, for the accommodation of 

 those who are waiting their turn for a supply of water. 



A fourth public fountain is in front of the Convent of St. 

 Antonio, and is supplied by the aqueduct or Caraoca. The water issues 

 from horizontal brass pipes, about eight feet higher than the street. 

 Part of the water is delivered into a large cistern, designed as a washing 

 place for all, who are disposed to make use of it. A curious scene is 

 daily exhibited here ; great numbers of men and women, generally black 

 people, and more than half naked, some within the cistern and others 

 around it, are busily employed in the occupation to which the place is 

 devoted. In the process of their work they swing the wet clothes 

 over their heads, and strike them with all their force upon the coping of 

 the wall, which is lower within than on the outside, so that the greater 

 part of the water, beaten out of the clothes, falls again into the cistern. 

 The supply is copious and constant, at one end ; the discharge at the 

 other is much to be regretted, in a city where water is so scarce. 



Without the city, beyond the Lapa, is a fountain, with one pipe, 

 yielding an inconsiderable quantity of water ; and beyond the Gloria, in 

 the woods, is a large covered well, too distant to be of general utility. 

 At Caatumbi is another, sunk about three feet into the ground ; the 

 descent to it is by steps from the high road, and within are seats round 

 about it. The water is discharged from a mastiff's head, cut in stone; 

 no very pleasant device, yet not unsuitable to a dirty and comfortless 

 place. 



