1 
CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER I. 
Object of the Cruise— Selection of the Frigate— Her departure from Washington- 
Reflections on passing Mount Vernon— Descending the River— Hampton Roads 
—New- York— Additional Orders— Final Departure— Sandy Hook— Dismissing 
the Pilot— Tribute of Affection ...... 11 
CHAPTER n. 
Sea-sickness— The Gulf-stream— A Storm at Sea— Cape de Verds— St. Antonio— 
A Whale-ship— Trial of Speed— Crossing the Equator— Rio Janeiro— Courteous 
Reception of the Frigate . . . . . ... _ 24 
CHAPTER HI. 
-Harbour of Rio Janeiro and surrounding Scenery — Appearance of its entrance from 
the Offing— Its works of Defence— City of Rio, or St. Sebastian— Pubhc Square, 
Fasade, and Fountain— Public Buildings, Houses, and Shops— Paucity of Ac- 
commodations for Strangers— Climate, Food, and Health— Arcos de Carioco, or 
Grand Aqueduct— Discovery and Settlement of Brazil—Injustice to the Natives 
—Origin of the African S^ve Trade— Discovery and Settlement of Rio Janeiro 
—Emigration of the Royal Family— Their Return to Portugal— Civil Revolution 
in Brazil— Accession of Don Pedro— War with Buenos Ayres, terminated by an 
unpopular Treaty— Abdication of Don Pedro— Insurrectionary Symptoms— Cler- 
ical Abuses— Population of Rio— Condition of the Slaves— Natural Productions 
— Theatrical fete on board tha-Potomac' ....... 34 
CHAPTER IV. 
Departure from Rio Janeiro— Glorious Sunset at Sea— A white Squall— A Man 
Overboard— A narrow Escape— Cape of Good Hope— Arrival of the Potomac at 
Cape-Town— Table Bay, with Sailing Directions— First Discovery of the Cape 
by Diaz— Origin of the Colony— Description of the Town— State of the Press, 
Literature, and Education — Climate, Clouds, and Vapours . . . 59 
CHAPTER V. 
Cape of Good Hope — Progress of the Colony— Cape District— Districts of Stellen- 
bosch, Worcester, Swellendam, George, Uitenhage, Albany, Somerset, and Graaf 
Rainet — Population Table — Imports and Exports — Judiciary Establishment — Post- 
office — Humane and Religious Institutions— Revenue, Militaay, &e.— The Caffres 
— Captain Stout's Character of them— The Hottentots— Progress of Education 
among them . . .' _ 
