366 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



Steering hence through the channels of the Cherubas, probably a 

 corruption of some Tupi name, we stretched away to the North-east 

 point of the Ilha do Governador, and ran down its Eastern shore. This 

 line of coast is certainly one of the most beautiful and tempting spots 

 which the bay contains. It has so much the air of seclusion without 

 loneliness, of symmetry without form, of delicate beauty unmixed with 

 frowning grandeur, and of comfort without dependance, that I almost 

 wished to make it my abode for the remainder of my days. 



Landing on the Ilha d'Agoa, which belongs to my next door 

 neighbour in the city, we considered ourselves as at home, and acted 

 accordingly. It well deserves its name, having upon it springs of 

 excellent water ; it is bold, fertile, and improved in some proportion to 

 its worth. Hence as it lightened awfully towards the North, we ran 

 across the Bay in haste, to the Ilha do Flamengo ; and being unspeakably 

 disgusted, while supping at Porto Velho, by the profligate behaviours 

 of some females, took refuge on board our launch, and about midnight 

 re-entered the middle bay. 



The whole bay of Rio de Janeiro is sometimes molested with fogs 

 of extraordinary density. Sailing upon it, I once found myself in 

 shoal water, without being in the least aware that we were near the 

 shore, and distinctly heard people talking in their usual tones, while no 

 object was visible to us beyond the boat. We inquired of them what 

 course we ought to steer, and received their directions without even 

 seeing what sailors call the loom of their persons. Boats, after having 

 passed Ponta Caju, frequently steer between the islands in the bay of St. 

 Christophe, without discerning an atom of land until they touch the 

 beach. And one of my own family, attempting, with several other 

 persons, to cross the bay in a fog, was carried away by the current quite 

 out of the harbour, into the open sea, having passed unconsciously 

 through the gorge. These fogs, not usually with this extreme degree 

 of density, come on soon after sun-rise, are dispersed about nine o'clock 

 in the morning, and usher in a clear warm day. 



