£6^ 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



earthen vessels for cookery, for which the city furnishes a market. Like 

 their ancestors, who excelled in the same art three centuries ago, they 

 use no machinery in moulding the clay, but- bring it into shape by 

 twirhng their thumbs. The women attend the ovens and bake the pans 

 with care and skill ; no glazing is used, yet they bear the fire well. These 

 people are mild, and, though thus occupied, indolent ; with considerable 

 powers of imitation, they seem to have none for invention or improve- 

 ment. They are expert in the use of the bow, frequently substituting 

 round balls of clay in the place of arrows. In rowing and managing 

 the canoa, they are not less dexterous. They have lost their own language 

 and manners, and adopted those of their conquerors. 



About a mile nearer to the point of Armazem, lies the estate 

 presented by the Regent to Sir Sydney Smith. The house on it is small, 

 and the situation oppresively hot ; the land rocky and of little value. 

 At the point itself are some large warehouses, originally constructed for 

 the extraction of oil from the whale, when that fish rolled his enormous 

 bulk in the harbour of Rio. Just at their back is one of the finest stations 

 on the Eastern side, for viewing the whole extent of this beautiful bay. 



The Bay of Praia Grande is one of the least recesses which we 

 here met with ; but by no means the least in pleasantness. The beach is 

 broad and lined with small houses ; the interior rich, though sandy ; the 

 country populous, and perhaps no part of the vicinity of the city has 

 undergone more advantageous changes. The Port established here com- 

 municates with all the Eastern parts of the Province, and with the roads 

 leading to Esperito Santo and Porto Seguro. Here are embarked all the 

 different kinds of produce, which the interior abundantly furnishes. 

 Hence there are boats continually plying for the city ; the distance is 

 about three miles, and on the passage the sea-breeze is enjoyed in all 

 the fulness of its comfort: Near the centre of this bay is observed, 

 at the time of the morning or evening gun, or when a salute is fired, 

 one of those fine echoes with which the harbour abdunds. It is occasioned 

 by reverberation from the neighbouring mountains, and sometimes rolls 

 and bursts with amazing grandeur. 



