The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-09-08
RIO JANERO.

Tue hish rank which this large and po-
lpulous city holds, in a commercial point Of
view, will probably give degree of interest
to description OF II, rs it appears to the
eye of an impartial spectator. While it
introduces US into the business aud hustle
of a great and tlourishing city, it cannot
tail to remind US Of the iuestimable blessings
we enjoy, AS citizens of the American Re-
public-and that no prosperity OF vice can
make any compensation for the absence of
| intelligence aud virtue.
| In the remarks have TO make, ] shall
not aim at systematic arrangement--hut
only to convey, in plain language, an idea
of some of the most interesting objects
connected with the city, as they occur to
my memory aud observation. The harbor
rs large, conmodious, aud well fortified
| II contains number Of islands, which are
furnished with Notifications and garrisons
The commerce Is immense. More than
five hundred sail of vessels are now living
here, loading and unloading, aud preparing
TO convey their merchandise TO all parts of
the nayigable world. Ga landing at the
Palace steps, you pass a beautiful fountain
where hundreds OF negroes are seen passing
and repasslng with water TO all parts of the
city. They carry j, on their heads, singing
some tIlhng song as they move under their
heavy burden-ihus beguiling the tedium
OF their employ meut.
The streets of the city are various, both
as to length and breadth-but Oh the whole,
may be considered regularly laid out. The
houses are from one 10 toui stories high
built entirely of stone, and covered with
cement, which in time, becomes harder
than the stones themselves. The Empe-
ror's Palace is an ordinary looking building,
two stories high, and al an ancient aIehi-
lecture. The Palace Church is far from
splendid, IN ITS exterior apprenticeship
beautifully decorated withn-containing
large figures Of Saints and Patrarchs, of
the Saviour, the Virgin Mary, &c. M
merous golden candlesticks, as well as other
ornaments, give To the interior of the
church splendor which is not easily de-
scrbed. The churches. of which there are
many, are all Roman Catholic, except the
English Chapel, a beautiful building, cree
ted by the English merchants residing here.
The Museum is superb building, and con
tdlns large and elegant collection of natu-
raj curiosites, paintings, mummies and
other objects OF interest, too numerous to
be mentioned. think it snrpasses the
New England Museum ia Boston. The
Theatre is large and stately, but at present,
the actors are very poor. You would be-
surprised at the splendid appearance ofthe
nobility on such occasions. The ladies'
heads are decorated with wreaths of artif
| cial flowers, strings of diamonds, pearls and
| the hke-but female delicacy aud beauty
u MI IN ,nI AZ.
eyes of an American. The Emperor and
Empress usually attend, and arc escorted
by a liie-guard of so or 60 horsemen. The
Exchange Building is constructed in the
Gothic style, and in consequence is rather
grand than beautiful. Hither resort mer-
| chants and masters of vessels of all nations,
To transact business and talk Of public az
| fairs.
Some of the dwelling houses are kept
| tolerably neat and clean--but in general,
they are very much neglected. Domestic
affairs are mostly entrusted to slaves, and
consequently badly managed. Some of the
gentlemen are eDterprlsing and active, but
appear to have little or no idea of domestic
happiness. Many of them breakfast, dine
aud sup at coffee houses, and scarcely see
their families during the day. The wife
knows nothing of her husbands affairs,
and but little OF those which naturally de-
yolye on the mistress of family. On my
depressing my surprise at the practice Of
taking most of their meals away from
home, was answered by respectable
merchant, that he bad not breakfasted
with his family, and seldom dined with
them, for 90 years. What notions can
such men entertain of domestic happi-
| ness
In the cool Of the day, have sometimes
taken walk, with some of my friends, as
Ear as the public Garden. Here we meet
with people Of every nation, wandering
about the garden for amusement Ii con.
taius beautiful fountain of cool water, and
two cascades, from which the water falls
in all directions. Fruit trees of various
kinds, and flowers of every color, border
the walks, and delight the senses with their
fragrance and beauty. At the foot Of the
garden, we have a comnpndng view OF the
harb0r, the ocean, and the varied and de-
| llghttul scenery, in the rear of the town.
Now and then sail appears far in the
ofliug, and all are curious TO know what flag
she bears. This desire is soon gratifed ;
fer, at the observatory, which commands
perfect view ofthe harbor and waters ada
cent, numbers are on the continual lookout
aided by the best glasses 10 catch the first
glimpse of an approaching sal, and inform
the inhabitants, by Il telegraph or signal,
what flag she bears, and from what direc-
ton she comes.
One afternoon bent my steps slowly
towards very ancient church, which stood
near convent. Ii was venerable old
pile +; and as approached the door, which
was open, | observed number of lights
burning although il Was not nuife dark