1848.] 
FESTAS. 
19 
women in all the glory of their massive gold chains and 
earrings. Besides these, a number of the higher classes 
and foreign residents grace the scene with their presence ; 
showy processions are got up at the commencement and 
termination, and on the last evening a grand display of 
fireworks takes place, which is generally provided by 
some person who is chosen or volunteers to be '' Juiz da 
festa,” or governor of the feast,— a rather expensive ho- 
nour among people who, not content with an unlimited 
supply of rockets at night, amuse themselves by firing 
off great quantities during the day for the sake of the 
whiz and the bang that accompany them. The rockets 
are looked upon as quite a part of the religious ceremony: 
on asking an old Negro why they were let off in the 
morning, he looked up to the sky and answered very 
gravely, "‘For Deos” (for God). Music, noise, and fire- 
works are the three essentials to please a Brazilian popu- 
lace; and for a fortnight we had enough of them, for 
besides the above-mentioned amusements, they fire off 
guns, pistols, and cannon from morning to night. 
After many inquiries, we at last succeeded in procuring 
a house to suit us. It was situated at Nazare, about a 
mile and a half south of the city, just opposite a pretty 
little chapel. Close behind, the forest commences, and 
there are many good localities for birds, insects, and 
plants in the neighbourhood. The house consisted of a 
ground-floor of four rooms, with a verandah extending 
completely round it, affording a rather extensive and 
very pleasant promenade. The grounds contained oranges 
and bananas, and a great many forest and fruit trees, 
with coffee and mandiocca plantations. We were to pay 
c 2 
