NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



265 



placed before buildings appropriated to the boys, who in the character of 

 the Magi, visit the Infant Saviour of the world. With a discrepance from 

 Scripture, not unusual in the sacred comedies of the Catholic Church, 

 these boys are made to ape the state of Sovereigns, are complimented 

 by the multitude, instead of bowing with humility and reverence ; and 

 receive tribute, instead of offering frankincense and myrrh. 



At Mata Porcos, the road to Santa Cruz, branching off to the right, 

 leads in front of some large and pleasant houses, across the Rio Comprido. 

 This is commonly a small and tranquil stream ; but collecting others 

 which descend from the mountains of Andrea, it occasionally in wet 

 seasons pours through its channel a turbulent and destructive torrent. 



Beyond, is the Quintal of Boavista, a residence of the Sovereign of 

 Brazil. The house stands a little out of the road on a gentle eminence ; 

 it is smaU and formal, ill-contrived, and wretchedly furnished. It 

 possesses however, one great comfort, having on three sides of it varandas 

 or colonnades filled with glass windows, which can be closed or laid 

 open at pleasure; thus it is rendered warm as well as hght and airy. A 

 private Merchant was building it, when the former Sovereign arrived 

 almost destitute of an abode, and most handsomely and acceptably 

 presented it to the Regent. In front of it is placed a gateway sent to his 

 Royal Highness by the Duke of Northumberland ; an exact copy of that 

 leading to Sion House, and here exhibiting a singular specimen of incon- 

 gruity. This Royal Residence commands a fine though distant view of 

 the bay, the city, the Northern mountains, and those of Gambda ; and, 

 in the immediate foreground, the charming plain of Mata Porcos, nearly 

 seven square miles in extent. The gardens occupy almost a third part of 

 the plain, where flourish in abundance and beauty the Orange and Coffee 

 Tree, the Banana, the Mimosa, and a great variety of flowers. Nothing 

 is to be said for the good taste of these gardens ; but it should be recol- 

 lected that a few years ago their site was a morass or a forest. Noble as 

 are the views from the palace, they are surpassed by those which may be 

 enjoyed from a small hill, about half a mile from it; where are seen 



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