NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



531 



After leaving the mountain on which Lagoa Dourada stands, and 

 advancing into the plain, we observed that the rain, which had fallen 

 copiously during the night, had been driven by a strong wind from the 

 South-west ; for the trees and other objects fully exposed to it, were wet 

 only on the side opposite to that quarter. To me it appears singular 

 that, in all the few parts of the world where I have been, the moist wind 

 should come from the South-west, and the dry one from the North-east. 

 Surely the fact, that thus it is in the Southern hemisphere, and on the 

 Eastern side of a large continent, does not well agree with the common 

 theory. 



We early fell in with many wild animals and several birds, which 

 seemed new to me, but could obtain none of them, for the powder which 

 I had taken so much pains to procure proved to be of the worst descrip- 

 tion. It contained, I apprehend, far too large a proportion of sulphur, 

 which separated in firing, and rendered the piece uncommonly foul. 



During our ride we caught a view of the village of Lage, standing 

 on a lofty and apparently dry eminence, about six miles on the right. 

 It appeared a large comfortless place, without lime, trees, or water. 



The approach to St John D' El Rey, in this direction, is wonder- 

 fully fine ; and though the fain occasioned us the inconvenience of a 

 slippery road, it made us an abundant recompense in the freshness which 

 it diffused over the tender verdure, and the transparency which it com- 

 municated to the atmosphere. The scene wants only more wood on the 

 lofty downs, which form and skirt the dells, to become quite enchanting. 



At the bridge over the Rio dos Mortes I learned that my friends 

 had expected me two days earlier, and had taken care that I should 

 receive there some compliments as a welcome on my return. Dreading 

 another public exhibition, I hastily quitted my attendants, crossed the 

 plains of the Tejuca, and entered the town by an unusual and unexpected 

 route. With the renewal of former friendly kindness, of a more private 

 nature, I could not but be highly gratified. 



From Lagoa Dourada to St. John is twenty-four miles ; the direc- 

 tion South by West ; the descent about eight hundred feet. We saw, 



3x2 



