NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



which are not common in other parts of the country. On its Northern 

 side are several fine islands, between which run shallow streams of 

 remarkably clear water. The llha dos Fradres is distinguished by a 

 Convent, which furnishes a striking object from many distant parts of 

 the harbour. Here, dug horizontally into the face of a hill, is a well, 

 which furnishes excellent water, and many tales for credulous and 

 superstitious gossips. In its retired situation, it is more than possible 

 that strange appearances and noises may have been noticed, and some 

 violence may occasionally have been committed. To prevent its recur- 

 rence an enclosure has been thrown round the well, and its water 

 appropriated to the Convent. Its mysterious popular character does not 

 prevent the resort of boats, which find shelter in its neighbourhood 

 during the prevalence of violent South-Westerly winds. The other 

 islands are not only naturally pleasant, but display the comfort arising 

 from industrious cultivation ; this, the property and residence of Priests, 

 is neglected, barren, and desolate. On the opposite shore of the bay 

 there is often left, by the tide, a large quantity of a colourless jelly-like 

 substance, in hemispherical masses ; and sometimes there appear among 

 them some which contain a purple fluid, and are, in consequence, of a 

 dark hue. Perhaps these are only more matured specimens of the same 

 matter. However this may be, the colouring liquor gave them a different 

 appearance, in the eye of an uninitiated man, from common substances of 

 a like kind, and, on this account, they were made the subject of a note. 



The line which forms the Northern limit of this middle section of 

 the harbour is about nine miles in extent, and, at its Eastern extremity^ 

 lie the Nevas Islands, displaying that luxuriant vegetation which usually 

 arises from a rich soil, in such a climate as this ; they possess much of 

 nature's most brilliant scenery, Having been the residence of families 

 which once were great, their abodes, and the Chapels connected with 

 them, are become ornamental parts of different views. In the process 

 of time several of them have changed masters, more modern houses 

 have supplanted the ancient mansions, and, while population has 

 advanced, the riches of the soil have been rendered more abundantly 



