SOUTH AMERICA. 



walls.^ upwards of seventy feet high^ and several hun- 

 dred long. From the narrowness of its valley^ it re- 

 ceives few rivers of any magnitude, although it dis- 

 charges a great body of water into the ocean. Its 

 banks are highly cultivated; some of the most valua» 

 ble sugar plantations of Brazil are situated on them* 

 With the exception of the district of Groytacazes, the 

 province is extremely mountainous. In the district 

 just mentioned^ there are some low lands, marshes, 

 and swamps. In the mountain districts, it is natural 

 to expect a number of cascades and water falls; no 

 country can be more picturesque and romantic. The 

 fall of Tejouco, in the vicinity of the capital, is parti- 

 cularly described as being worthy the attention of 

 those who admire such objects. 



The coronation, for which so much preparation had 

 been made, was at last announced for the 6th of Fe- 

 bruary. The morning was ushered in by salutes from 

 all the forts, as well as ships of war in the har- 

 bor. As a mark of respect to the government of the 

 country whose hospitality we enjoyed, the commodore 

 joined the other commanders of foreign vessels in fir- 

 ing a salute. All the ships were dressed in the colors 

 of the different nations of the world, and exhibited 

 one of the most splendid appearances I ever witness- 

 ed; but whether to be attributed to accident or design 

 we knew not, on examining the different flags, it was 

 discovered that ours was not among them. The com- 

 modore on making this discovery, resolved to go no 

 further in the demonstrations of respect for the occa- 

 sion. The ceremony took place about noon, in the 

 Grecian temple we had seen in the public square. 

 With the nature of the ceremony I am unacquainted, 



