202 



A VOYAGE TO 



Uruguay^ from the streams which fall into the lake 

 dos Patos. The climate is mild, but during winter a 

 good deal subject to the south-west winds. The 

 greater part of the country to the southward, border- 

 ing on the Banda Oriental consists of extensive grassy 

 plains, and is almost exclusively devoted to raising 

 herds. Agriculture is comparatively but little at- 

 tended to, although the soil is extremely well adapted 

 to grain of every kind. 



The island of St. Catherine in the northern part of 

 this district, is a place of considerable note. The har- 

 bor is one of the best along the coast. The town con- 

 tains about ten thousand inhabitants, and is beautiful- 

 ly situated. The surrounding country is very fine, 

 and in a better state of cultivation and improvement, 

 than is usual in Brazil. From the abundant supply 

 of wood, water, and stores of every kind, it is a very 

 common stopping place. Few places oflfer greater 

 advantages for ship building. The country and cli- 

 mate are so delightful, that many persons come here 

 from other provinces, in order to regain their health; 

 and gentlemen of fortune sometimes choose it as an 

 agreeable residence. Formerly there was a very im- 

 portant whale fishery here; but of late years the whales 

 have very much diminished in numbers along this 

 coast. Commodore Porter, who touched at this place 

 in his cruise, speaks of it in the following manner. 

 ^^The liouses are generally neatly built, and the coun- 

 try at the back of the town in a state of considerable 

 improvement. But nothing can exceed the beauty of 

 tiie great bay to the north, formed by the island of St. 

 Catherines and the continent; there is every variety to 

 give beauty to the scene; handsome villages and 



