Prince Maximilian's 

 the Puris ana Botocudos alternately range, and issue from 

 the foot of those lofty mountains which stretch themselves out 

 in i\ lengthened chain to the sea ; amongst which the most 

 conspicuous is the Monte de Mestre Alvaro, 



On the summit of a high hiil covered with trees in the im- 

 mediate vicinity of the town is the celebrated monastery of 

 Nossa Senhora da Penha, one of the richest in the Brazils, 

 dependant on the Abbey of St. Bento in Rio de Janeiro, 

 wherein is a miraculous image of the blessed virgin, heretofore 

 resorted to by an immense concourse of pilgrims, although 

 now only two priests are maintained there. 



The town of Espirito Santo consists of mean, low, clay huts, 

 unpaved and evidently falling into decay, since the building of 

 Villa de Victoria, in a more pleasant situation about half a league 

 higher on the north bank of the river a small, pretty, pleasant 

 spot, which has latterly been much improved. The Cidade 

 de Nossa Senhora da Victoria is a very neat, agreeable place, 

 composed of respectable houses, built after the old Portuguese 

 fashiön, having balconies with wooden lattices before the 

 windows. The streets are well paved, and there is an im- 

 mensely large princely edifice, the Jesuit's convent, where the 

 Governor resides, who has at his disposal a company of regular 

 soldiers. Besides several monasteries, there are one church, 

 four chapels, and a hospital. The city is nevertheless dull, 

 and possesses few attractions to invite strangers to visit it 

 from curiosity. 



The coasting trade is however not inconsiderable, a number 

 of Lauchas, Smacks and other vessels are constantly here, and 

 Frigates and Ships of the greatest burthen can sail up to the 

 town; the Fazendas in the neighbourhood produce a great 

 quantity of Sugar, Mandiocca flour, Rice, abundance of Ba- 

 nanas, and other produce which are sent coastwise. 



A number of forts defend the entrance of this magnificent 

 river Espirito Santo, one of which is placed immediately at the 

 mouth, a little higher up is a second battery, faced with stone, 

 mounting eight pieces of iron ordnance ; further on, between 

 this and the town, situated on a hill is a third battery, mounted 

 with seventeen or eighteen guns, besides others of smaller calibre, 



The town is a pleasant and hilly spot, somewhat irregular 

 hut very agreeable, the river flowing past, and is on all sides 

 enclosed with lofty mountains ; in some places fields exposed 

 to view, but frequently rugged, bare and over-run with the 

 reed-cane and weeds. The briUiant mirror of the wide ex- 

 panding river, is adorned with numerous verdant islands, whilst 

 inland the eye is delighted in every direction wheresoever 

 it roves. 



