NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



317 



characterised as picturesque. The Restinga, which forms the Southern 

 limit, seen from these heights, appears Hke a wonderfully fine pier, 

 similar to what it might be supposed the Breakwater at Plymouth would 

 be, were it extended to twenty miles in length. There are upon it two 

 or three huts, where formerly dwelt men who had the charge of guns, 

 by which vessels were warned of danger, and intelligence communicated 

 to the city, of ships appearing off Cape Frio. For the latter purpose 

 telegraphs are now employed ; for the former, I believe fires are lighted, 

 for such were seen, when, in the year 1816 I was kept near the 

 shore, by the want of wind, for five successive nights. The Western 

 side of this water is shallow, and gradually filling up with the wreck 

 which the wind and tide constantly drive before them. The shore, like 

 all muddy ones in this country, abounds with land crabs, particularly of 

 that species which has only one claw. 



We coasted the Northern side of the lake, and crossed the Rio 

 Mataruna, or, as it is sometimes called, the Rio do Ponte, which is deep, 

 and forms an useful harbour for the small vessels, by which the trade 

 from one part of this country to another is carried on. Passing a little 

 village called Nazareth, we proceeded to Engeitado, where our horses 

 were turned loose upon the beach, and we were ourselves constrained 

 to lie down on the counter of a venda for rest, after spending a noisy and 

 irksome evening. 



I once passed between Saquarema and this place by a route farther 

 inland, over hilly ground, with fine woods and a good soil. A beginning 

 was made to improve the natural advantages of the spot by the establish- 

 ment of a capital farm. 



At Engeitado I practised a stratagem which appears to me an useful 

 one in half barbarous regions. It was my uniform custom when travelling, 

 to carry concealed about my person a brace of bayoneted pistols, and 

 never to be a moment unarmed. Besides these, I have had other pistols 

 fixed on my saddle. On arriving at a station, my first business was to form 

 some notion of the character of the people, while a servant was stripping 

 the horses. If the opinion proved imfavourable, I have delivered my 



