( 96 ) 



of home. I, who had for eighteen months lingered in exile, and 

 beheld each setting sun close another day of almost hopeless capti- 

 vity, enjoj'ed this evening scene with indescribable emotion ; it was 

 here, that for the first time since my landing in South America, I 

 had just reason to promise myself a night's repose in freedom, 

 safety, and peace. 



We soon reached the suburbs, which are very large and pleasant, 

 being agreeably interspersed with gardens and pleasure grounds. 

 About five o'clock we halted in the vicinity of Campo St. Anna, at an 

 inn, or rather hostelry for cattle, whence, having secured, our bag- 

 gage in the miserable stall allotted to us, we sallied forth in search 

 of the friends who left us at St. Catherine's. Accustomed, as we long 

 had been, to rude and solitary scenes, we were forcibly struck with 

 the opulence of this city, displayed in its magnificent buildings and 

 regular streets. While engaged in anxious enquiries after our friends, 

 we accidentally met with one of them, who, with unspeakable joy, 

 conducted us to the rest, and the evening was passed most agree- 

 ably in relating over several encounters, and in asking and answering 

 innumerable questions. Returning to our inn at midnight, we re- 

 mained with our luggage until morning, when we carted it up to the 

 house of our friends in Rua Piscadores. 



During our journey from Zapitiva to Rio Janeiro, we had not 

 much leisure for geological observation. The stratum, in the course 

 of the route, is composed of primitive granite, like that before 

 described. In somg parts we observed large stones, approx^ 

 imating to basalt, and in other parts we found fine clay. Nearer to 

 the capital, and particularly in the environs of St.Cristoval, the 

 Prince's country-palace, the stratum has a gneiss-like appearance, 

 and produces some fine specimens of feld-spar. In the precincts 

 of the city, there is an extensive flat, covered with mangroves, and 

 over-flowed by the tide. At the foot of the mountains which bound 

 it, are quarries of granite, large blocks of which are raised for builds 

 ing purposes, as well as for paving the streets of the city. i 



