NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



and the people have not only to endure the irksomeness of delay, but 

 the torment arising from the various and unceasing hostilities of insects. 

 About a mile within the bar, is a small venda, w^hich, with a probable 

 reference to such sufferings, is called Patiencia. A little Eastward is 

 Villa Nova, once an abode of native Indians, and regulated by the laws 

 made in their favour ; now belonging principally to a wealthy nobleman* 

 On his fine estate he has a singularity in this country, a Steam-Engine 

 for crushing sugar cane. Another, brought out by a vessel which was 

 wrecked near Cape St. Roque, was recovered from the water, intended 

 for the use of the Treasury and the purpose of coining, but has never 

 been erected. It is said that the Prince Regent once visited Villa Nova, 

 to see the Engine at work, and that the owner, in order not to lower the 

 Brazilian character in its respect for Royalty, chose to lose a great part 

 of his crop of cane rather than to offend the ears of his visitor by the 

 tattling of machinery. 



The river long continues broad and deep. About six miles from 

 its mouth, and twenty-seven from the city, it is joined by the KysarebUj 

 from the Eastward, commonly called the Casarebu. Three miles higher^ 

 we meet with the first solid ground, where is a fine plantation, on the 

 left bank of the river, belonging to the Commandant of the district. 

 Here the stream is much less deep, and narrowed to about a hundred 

 yards ; soon after we drop into shoal water, yet with a strong current. 

 On the right is a round hillock, from the summit of which is an exten- 

 sive and varied prospect of the country : in the immediate vicinity is a 

 rich fenny tract, generally dry, but liable to be flooded ; to the North, 

 the mountains, though distant, are in full view, and their face appears 

 a fine though rough inclined-plane ; to the East and South are unbounded 

 plains, broken by the abrupt and grey Serros of Tokai, America, and 

 Saquarema ; the channels of the Guaxendiba, the Casarebu, and Macacu 

 may also be distinctly traced. 



This latter stream joins the Iguapezu from the North East, and 

 frequently usurps its name, though it is much smaller and shorter in its 

 course. On its banks, about two miles above the junction, in the midst 



