RIO DE JANEIRO, 79 
The largest fleets, however, may anchor in t\ii6 capacious 
harbour, entirely out of the reach of any of the guns that are 
mounted on the forts. 
On landing from the harbour, the first object in tlie town 
that catches the attention is a handsome square, svirrounded 
on three of its sides with buildings, and the fourth open to 
the water. Along this side is erected a noble stone quay, 
with flights of steps at each extremity and in the centre, the 
last of which is the common landing-place. When this line 
of masonry shall be extended the whole length of the town, 
which was intended to be done, it will serve not merely as an 
ornament and convenience, but as a considerable defence 
against the attempt of an enemy to land. Near the central 
flight of stairs is a quadrangular obelisk throwing, from each 
of its four fronts, a consta,nt stream of pure limpid water for 
the use of the lower part of the town and of the shipping in 
the harbour. The upper side of the square, facing the har- 
bour, is entirely occupied by the palace of the Viceroy, a 
long plain building, neither remarkable for elegance of design 
nor peculiarity of construction. 
The palace, the obelisk, and the pier, are all built witli 
hewn blocks of granite ; and the surface of the square is a 
solid floor of the same material, sprinkled over with quartzose 
sand. The granite being of that kind which contains a large 
proportion of glistening mica is highly injurious to the eye, 
which is scarcely able to bear the dazzling rays of the sun 
playing throughout the whole day on one side or other of this 
