NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



in the course of the day, much good land, and some well arranged 

 farms. 



A second short residence in St. John served pleasantly to confirm 

 former conceptions of the place and its inhabitants. During that time 

 the Thermometer fluctuated between 73" and 82°, 79° being the average. 

 The wet season had commenced ; rain frequently fell in torrents, and 

 was accompanied with vivid lightning. This broken weather hastened 

 my return to Rio, and determined me to advance thither by long stages. 

 Once more my friends displayed the interest which they took in the 

 safety and comfort of the journey. I was accommodated with the same 

 faithful and useful slave, the same baggage-mule and equipage, which 

 had been lent me for the journey to Villa Rica. The horse, too, which 

 had carried me thither, was so earnestly pressed upon my acceptance that it 

 was impossible to refuse him : an abundance of such provisions as might 

 be useful, and could easily be carried on the road, was sent in : and 

 there came, according to the established custom of the country, as 

 parting tokens of regard, quantities of confectionary, preserved fruits, 

 and pastry, tastily and ingeniously decorated with flowers and devices 

 full of meaning. 



Disappointed by unfavourable weather of an intended exanoination 

 of the quarries of lime-stone near St. Joze, where are said to be extensive 

 caverns, and many petrifactions of shells and other substances ; we 

 commenced our journey, and soon arrived at a point where we had to 

 cross the Rio dos Mortes by a safe and convenient ford, thougli consider- 

 ably swollen by the late rains. From the heights beyond it the village 

 of St. Joze formed a pleasant object ; not the less so because scattered 

 about a wide green vale. The Serro behind the village was covered with 

 clouds, and formed an imposing feature in the scene. 



Here I parted from a few friends, who had the good sense to wave 

 ceremony, and being determined to ride a few miles with me, met at 

 the outskirts of the town. To all of them, except one, I bade adieu 

 under the painful impression that we were to meet no more. And from 

 that one I was now finally separated, though then hoping that, in three 

 months' time, he would accompany me to England. It pleased the 



