NOTICES OF BRAZIL. 



parts of the same machine. A negro instinctively puts every 

 thing on his head be it light or heavy, yet I am not aware of 

 any race that is remarkably flat headed. 



There is not so much military show about the palace now 

 as during the reign of Pedro I. We were wont to see each 

 of those staffs along the palace wall, supporting a musket ; and 

 troops parading at this hour, and a fine band playing." 

 ''That is easily accounted for — 



* Grim visaged war has smoothed his wrinkled front.' 



The army has been but lately disbanded, and only men enough 

 kept to garrison the forts." 



We were now in front of the imperial chapels which open 

 on the square called the place of St. Joseph. The emperor's 

 chapel is amongst the richest and most splendid in Rio ; it is 

 not large, but the whole interior is arranged with a due regard 

 to taste. Every person uncovers while he passes the open 

 door, or bows, and signs himself with the cross as he enters. 

 Several females were kneeling in different parts of the open 

 space, on carpets or mats brought by their slaves, while the 

 men were content to protect their knees from the dusty pave- 

 ment by spreading out a pocket handkerchief. On either side 

 of the church are small altars dedicated to saints whose por- 

 traits or statues, carved in wood or cast in wax as large as life, 

 stand in niches above, decorated with a profusion of tinsel. A 

 low, wooden balustrade runs parallel with the wall on each 

 side of the church, forming narrow aisles in front of the minor 

 shrines, and separating them from the centre or nave, at the 

 farthest end of which stands the principal altar, rendered mag- 

 nificent at the expense of a great deal of wealth and labor. The 

 ceiling is arched, and ornamented with stucco and twisted 

 mouldings richly gilt. 



In all Catholic countries, the churches are open from dawn 

 till sunset, and during that interval, persons may be always 

 found at their devotions. Sunrise, however, is the most fash- 

 ionable hour. Here, the wealthy go in their palanquins, 

 dressed in black silk, with a manlo of the same material, or a 

 lace veil, worn tastefully over the head and shoulders, 

 4 



