i Prince MaximiUaT^s 



bay, where a number of large ships enabled us to guess at the si- 

 tuation of Rio de Janeiro, we beheld a display of brilliant fire- 

 works. On the following morning, at sun-rise, we weighed an- 

 chor, and a gentle breeze soon carried us into the harbour. We 

 all joyfully mounted the deck ; the linglish flag waved above our 

 heads, and all our sails were majestically set. A boat, rowed by 

 ^ eight Indians, * now made towards us, with two pilots on board, 

 to bring the Janus to anchor before the city of Rio. They 

 brought with them proofs of the fertility of their country, name- 

 ly, abundance of delicious oranges, which were heartily welcome 

 to us, as we had not tasted fresh fruit during the seventy-two days 

 that we had been at sea. We now gradually approached the city, 

 sailing from one bank to the other of the narrow mouth of the 

 hay. In the clefts of the hills we here and there perceived neat 

 little houses, shaded by thickets, above which towered the stately 

 branches of the cocoa tree. We sailed past numbers of small 

 islands, on one of which Viilegagnon built Fort Colligiiy, and 

 which still bears his name. The French were driven from this 

 place in 1560. We could now command a view ol' a great part of 

 the Bay of Rio, bounded, in the distance, by lofty hills, among 

 which the Serra dos Orgaos (the hill of organs,) is remarkable for 

 its resemblance to the conical mountains of Switzerland. There 

 are many sfnall islands in this beautiful and secure harbour of the 

 New World, which is defended on both sides by strong batteries. 

 We were now directly opposite the city of Rio de Janeiro, or, pro- 

 perly, St. Sebastiam, which is built on several hills, close to the 

 shore, and, with its towering churches and cloisters, forms a most 

 beautiful prospect. Behind the city the landscape is terminated by 

 conical topped hills, overgrown with trees and verdure, and, in the 

 fore ground, multitudes of ships of all nations give animation to 

 the scene ; boats and canoes are constantly sailing to and fro, and 

 the little coasting vessels of the neighbouring harbours fill up the 

 intervals between the majestic three-masted ships of Europe. 



We had no sooner cast anchor than we were surrounded by 

 boats, some of which were filled with soldiers, who immediately 

 came on board. The officers of the Alfandego (custom-house) 

 then made their appearance. We were also visited by a commis- 

 sion of health, and other officers, whose business was to ascertain 

 that the crew were in a healthy state, and to examine our pass- 

 ports ; and lastly, a great number of Englishmen came on board, 

 all eager to obtain news from their native country. 



* The Portuguese call all the aborigines of Brazil Indians ( ludios ), as we erroneous- 

 ly apply the name of Indians to all the tribes of the vast continent of America. 



