1^0 



A VOYAGE TO 



ner, with narrow paths. We observed in one instance 

 a deep vale but of small extent; enclosed on three 

 sides by steep hills, and on the only side where it was 

 open, occupied by a neat dwelling, a garden and some 

 adjoining buildings. This vale which could not have 

 contained more than a few acres was all in grass, and 

 being shaded nearly the whole day by the mountains 

 on each side, and the trees growing on them, had the 

 appearance of being a cool and delightful retreat. I 

 have been thus particular in my account of this little 

 rnmble, because it has enabled me to describe many 

 of the features which are probably common, if not to 

 the whole, at least to a very great proportion of Bra- 

 zil. It is at least a specimen of the mountainous 

 part. 



During our short stay at Hio, we neglected no 

 opportunity of making ourselves acquainted with the 

 manners and customs of the place, and in collecting 

 every information, curious or useful. Scarcely any 

 city in America has been so often spoken of by voy- 

 agers, as it has been the great stopping place of thosej 

 bound on voyages of discovery to the South Seas, as| 

 also of vessels bound to the East Indies. We prefer- 

 red remaining on shipboard for various reasons; one 

 was, that we should thus escape the annoyance of in- 

 sects and vermin, we should have to encounter at the 

 wretched inns of the city. Another reason was, that 

 in the stream we enjoyed a cooler air, than we could 

 in a town which is hemmed in by mountains. We were 

 in fact much more comfortably situated than we could 

 possibly be in the city, and as the boats were contin- 

 ually plying to the shore, we could at any time gra- 

 tify our wish to go there. In the shade, the thermome- 



