RIO JANEIRO. 
11 
countries, did not disturb our repose, and we were glad to find in 
the morning that we had not suffered from their attack.* 
I set out at an early hour on my return to the ship, and on my way 
through the town had an opportunity of taking a hasty glance at the 
morning employments of some of its inhabitants. Walking by the 
chief fountain which supplies the city, I was surprised at the great 
number of slaves who were waiting with vessels to receive in succes- 
sion a measured quantity of water, and I witnessed the same scene at 
whatever hour in the day I passed this spot. St. Sebastian is badly 
supplied with this article, although numerous springs rise every where 
in its neighourhood within the distance of one or two miles. But the 
Portuguese in this country require some powerful and present neces- 
sity to rouse them to any great exertion, and it is less a matter of 
wonder that they suffer this inconvenience to exist, than that they 
ever should have attempted and completed so extensive a work as 
the aqueduct which supplies the city. 
In passing the fish and vegetable market at the southern extremity 
of the town, every sense I possessed became disagreeably impressed. 
My hearing, by the jargon of the different languages used by the 
slaves who were bartering fot their masters, and by the old women 
who were endeavouring to obtain the highest price for their articles 
of sale. My sense of sight and of smell, by a horrible combination of 
every sort of filth, which sent forth the most sickening effluvia that 
ever exhaled from the corruption of a charnel-house. The very air 
tasted of putridity, and my clothes felt unctuous to the touch from 
accidental contamination. Some of my companions who were old 
travellers felt disposed to joke at my squeamishness, and having 
bought a large quantity of fruit and fish, hired a canoe which carried 
us and our steaming cargo on board. 
* A drought had prevailed at Rio for some weeks previous to our visit, which is always 
unfavourable to the propagation of these formidable insects. I have found that rubbing 
the skin with camphorated oil is the best protection against their attack. 
C 2 
