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small rain, but not sufficient to penetrate our coats: This was the 

 onlj rain we experienced on the road by day. In the night the rain 

 sometimes fell plentifully. We observed some exceedingly large 

 worms, stretched motionless on the road, which our guide told us 

 were sure signs of wet weather. From this height we saw the Rio 

 Gualacha, which, with another river, joins the Rio del Carmen about 

 ten leagues below, and forms the Rib San Jose. Proceeding in that 

 direction thl'ough a fine country, we reached Altos de St. Michael, 

 where the river last mentioned is of considerable width, but not 

 deep. Its waters are extremely turbid, on account of the mud 

 brought from the gold-washings along the banks, from its source to 

 this place. These heights cominand a fine view of three windings 

 of the river ; at their base there are vestiges of one of the oldest and 

 most extensive gold-washings, which yielded much treasure to its 

 discoverer and proprietor, Senhor Matthias Barbosa. The country is 

 well-wooded, but rather thinly peopled ; I expressed some surprise 

 at observing no good dwelling-houses in a district which formerly 

 produced so much wealth, and was informed that the first minersj 

 eager to take the cream of the gold to as larg« an extent as they 

 could, seldom remained long on the same spot, and contented them- 

 selves with building sheds or ranchos to serve for their temporary 

 residence. 



Descending this mountain, Ave entered upon the estate of His Ex- 

 cellency, called Fazenda do Barro, and were shewn the house at a 

 distance of nearly a league, on a pleasing eminence, near the river- 

 side. On arriving, an excellent dinner was provided for us, of whichj 

 having been eight hours on our mules, we partook very heartily. 



The house, and; indeed the whole establishment, were strikingly 

 superior, in point of convenience, to the miserable f)lfeces we had 

 lately passed. Having dined, we refreshed ourselves with a walk in 

 garden, where the coft'ee-trees in full blossom shewed, at a distance, 

 as if loaded with snow. This spot afforded a view of a most en- 



