SOUTH AMERICA. 



137 



facility through this continuous hedge. It is not, 

 however, for me to judge of a vast country from the 

 little I have seen; but if all be like this, and I am in- 

 formed it is so, give me my native groves in prefer- 

 ence to all the glories of the south. 



After proceeding about two miles in this manner, 

 we began to ascend the mountain by a very steep and 

 winding path. We found this exceedingly fatiguing, 

 which was probably, in some measure, owing to our 

 having been so long shut up and deprived of the usual 

 exercise of our limbs. It was fortunate that the day was 

 cloudy, otherwise we should have been unable to 

 withstand the heat. On each side of the path to our 

 surprise, we observed a number of small patches of 

 cultivation. When about two thirds of the way up, 

 we came to a place where the water rushes down the 

 rock, in a small clear stream; it was to us a most de- 

 licious treat, after having suifered much from thirst. 

 In these climates where an eternal summer reigns, 

 there can be no object so delightful to the eye as the 

 cool stream gushing from the fountain. We threw 

 ourselves upon the rock, which was shaded by enor- 

 mous trees; drank freely of the water and with reluc- 

 tance thought of quitting the spot. Here commences 

 I the aqueduct which supplies the city, and chiefly from 

 I this fountain. It is a work which does much credit to 

 the viceroy by whom it was constructed, in the year 

 1740, as would appear from the inscription. It is re- 

 ceived in a kind of funnel built of brick about five feet 

 high, and about three in width; it passes along the 

 apex of the ridge which gradually declines to the 

 plain of Rio Janeiro; where instead of being received 

 into pipes, is carried into the city by an aqueduct com- 

 VOL. I. 18 



If 



