Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-10-05
From the Literary Messenger for September
SEA SCENES.
RIO JANEIRO-CROSSING THE
OCEAN-CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

klD ANElhO--ChOOSAN lI1G
OCEAN-CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
After crossing the line, the atmosphere soon
became pure, balmy and delicious, and so
clear that the stars became visible as they sue
cessfully rose above the horizon. The polar
star, that lamp hung out in the heavens, to
guide the wayfarer of the desert, and the wan
derer on the deep, although true to his post,
now sunk gradually into the ocean; while 9TH
ers more brilliant but less endeared by asso-
citation rose upon the view. High up IN the
sky, two luminous bodies, like fragments of
the milky way, arrest the gaze the beholder;
while lower down toward the south pole, an
other of darker hue is visible. They are the
wonderful Magellan clouds, which, from their
position and immovability, are ascribed by
lIumbolt to the reflection Of the Cordleras.
Language cannot describe the intense bril-
liancy ofthe Southern consultations. Although
not Of the first magnitude, yet, as a sacred
symbol held alot, the Southern cross first re-
cCived the homage Of the Northern. It's inn
possible 10 convey an idea oithe beauty Of the
nights in these latitudcs:-when the sun has
sunk enveloped in his gorgeous panlopy OF
crimson and gold, and the full-orbed moon ca
reers along the clOudless sky in an ocean of
silvery light Such scenes are to be felt as
well as seen-lor on such occasions, the soul
lost IN rcvorie, and forgetfuI of the present,
stretches for into the recesses Of the past, and
IN its yearning for what it feels, that il alone
can love, seems almost to grasp within its
memory the Renaissance OF purer and more
ETHEREAL existence Nor is the scene below
less brillian;-far as the eve can reach the il
quid plain, when slightly ruffled by the breeze
seems like a sea Of molten silver, when in a
state Of ebulliton; aud the waves as severed
by the FURNISHED keel, open in chasms of fire.
The ship seems imbedded in flame, and the
light Of the brilliant wake shadows the masts
and cordagc on the surfaced of the sails.
We soon made Cape Frio, the terminus ola
high chain of mountains, its lofty SUBMITS
covered with mists. Shortly afterwards we
passed through the entrance about one mile
wide,and leaving the Sugar Loaf an abrupt
conical mountain on the left, and Santa Cruz
ON the right; entered a spacious bay, surToun-
ded BY lofty mountains, clothed with verdure
to their SUBMITS. picturesque in their aspect,
and separated by valleys, whose luxuriant
growth Of fruits and flowers made the a;mos-
phere redolent Of perfume. Groves OF orange,
citron and lemons, orchards Of plantain and
banana. with the wild, Astounding, uncultlva-
tcd,but delicious guava, in bloom, add weighed
down with fruit, refreshed the eye with their
varied hues,and almost ovcTpOwered the sense
by their fragrance.
The city of Rio de Janeiro, situated on the
south side of the bay; contains about l5O,OOO
inhabitants The streets long and narrow,
run along the valleys between the mountains.
The palace square fronting on the quay, IS IN
the day time, always .throngee particularly
with negroes passing to and from the iount-
aims. The slaves so much exceed the free
men in number, that the police is necessary
very strict; and gangs of the poor wretches,
are compelled 10 work in chains. The heart
sckens at the sight Of hordes of these uniortu-
mates, almost in a state of nudity, (like driven
eattle,) exposed for inspection and sale-and
This too, near the residence and within the
view ofroyalty.
What contrast Within those gates, be-
meath that roof, all is pride and pomp and pa
geantry, and art is strained, and nature ram
sacked, to pamper the luxurious indulgence of
its inmates, without-scorched by the blazing
sun, his only garment filthy rag girt, about
his loins-the fettered slave, emasculate and
forloin, his back excoriated, and with swollen
feet, staggers along with his task master at his
heels.
The unbeliever may ascribe to chance, this
great disparity Of condition; but the Christian,
win the eye Of faith, recognizes the hand, and
m submissive piety, bows to the dlspensatIons
oIFroWdence. He feels, he knows, for the
records oil savior's life confirm it--that each
state mas It's trials, and its solace; that the
slave less favored, is less accountable, and that
II IS the high in rank, the gifted in intellect,
from whom most will be exected. AS the
height and depth of mountains and valleys,
would scarce be discerned by an eve capable
Of embracing the whole surface OF the earth,
so the inequalities of human life, transitorv and
fleeing, are as nothing compared with the
prospects Of future state. Let the poor slave
toll on then, humble and submissive, and he
will reap the reward which will be denied to
the monarch, who abuses, and the statesman
who betrays his trust.
The slave trade IS now very brisk, but It Il
TO DO hoped that the beaming rays OF intelllg
ence may yet penetrate the gloom Which over
shadows these benighted countries, and repu
date that political bgotry which deems tina
crime can be conducive OF prosperity.
Every comparison with other countries rem
ders me prouder Of and more attached TO mJ
own. She first silenced with her artillery, The
exactons osthe Barbary powers; and she alst
gave the first death blow to the hOrrid traffic ii
human flesh. Tho exports Of Rio are cOfee,su
gar, tObacco cotton, hides, and horns. The
annual exports ofcoffee amount to upward o
fifty million pounds. The whole value Of the
imports is from thirteeni to fourteen mllionl
dollars.
There are four East lndiamen belonging TO the
port and about five hundred sail of ioreigr
vessels enter annually, Of which about one hal
are English; one third American, and the re.
malnder French, and other nations.
O. The Brazilian women are BY no mears
progressing; the men are more 50 in feature
but are short of statue and disposed to be cor.
pulent They are simple. uneducated anc
credulous but k nd and charitable; and provide
20 wen Tor their poor that bcggers are rarely
seen. Onquestionably the number ofcongenfs
1oia whence food is gratutously distributed