American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-04-30


and to cap the climax of absurdity, and render
the whole legitimate theme for laughter and
ridicule, huge pair OF military boots, black
and shining as his own face, reach above the
knee encasing the lower man of this strangest
looking of all queer positions. The first time
my vision was greeted by this spectacle, it at-
forded me much mirth. ] soon became recon-
cied to their strange appearance, however,
all save the boots: the dissertation of one OF the
most striking symbols Of military life, by suffer
ing these miserable ignorant slaves to wear
them, was too much for my southern temPera-
ment, and it would have afforded me pleasure
to witness and assist at that feast where their
masters should be compelled to cat every pair
of boots on the splay shanks of every negro il
Rio de Janeiro.
There are manv other vehicles in use, par
taking more or less Of the same shining charac-
teristics but it would be wasting space to at
tempt description of them; they do OCCASION
ally, however, attach the animals to the car
rage as with US. One cannot avoid comparing
highly finished buggy, or Rockaway wagon,
light, easy-going and strong, q pair OF thorough
breds in the traces, with these ane-diluvian
''thngs'' and their mules. The individual who
wishes to render himself twenty days Won
der, at least, need hut sport one through the
streets of Rio: while the bold soul who would
execute the same feat with Brazilian equpage
in the streets of the monumental town, would
undoubtedly be so numerously attended that he
would be exceedingly anxious to shake its dust
from his wheels. Seriously speaking, 1t is
most surprising, with all the dislike OF lnnoVa-
ton that characteristics these people, that so
large population, brought into continual con-
tact with the habits and usages, mechanical
-, o,I in n
partment of the arts by other nations, should
adhere so obstinately to forms and customs so
infinitely behind the spirit of the age as to be
nearly obsolete. Their bull-headed stupidity
and obstinacy reminds one of a custom preva-
lent amidst the remote and mountainous re-
gions of Italy, the worthy peasants of which
isolated spot, when engaged in the transporta-
ton of faggots, are accustomed to load one
pannier with them and filling the other with
stones, to balance it.; a most sage, labor-savlng
contrivance truly. On its being demonstrated
to them that by an opposite course twice the
quantity OF fuel could be conveyed, they mere
ly said that thei "fathers did so before them"
The cattle used for draught, are fine looking,
noble beasts docile and OF great power; they
are superior to those of our country.
The streets of the city of RIO de Janero Of
fer nothing attractive to the eye-in fact are
rather wearsome than otherwise from their
great regularity. What does attract attention,
is the occupation of certain Rua's by those pur-
suing the same trade; thus, the cordwainers
are cheek-by-jowl; the jewellers (their number
is legion,) have their quarter; leather dealers
theirs; butchers, grocers, ETC., all are similarly
situated; and the stationers, (few and far be-
tween are they,) hat and cap shops, fancy
stores G) of all kinds, ETC., etc, may all be
found in one place. | like the arrangement
exceedingly, it often saving the annoyance OF
traversing a considerable space, though opine
that the fair ones Of our land, who are wont to
spin an inordnate quantity of that Improbable
chain, 'yclept by dealers ''street yarn," would
scarce admire such an arrangement. All cities
have some one street, which is par eTceHence,
THE fashionable avenue-the resort of bellies
and beaux, loungers and strangers, where arti-
cles useful or useless, fancful and ornamental,
are offered for sale. Thus Boston has its
Washington street; Broadway is New York's
boast; and Rio de Janero has its Rua do Oupi-
dor. The shops in the latter are nowise infe-
ror to either of the former. though they do not
possess an equal chance for displaying to adj
vantage the rich variety within, owing to the
narrowness of the Rua itself, which does not
exceed 90 feet in width.
These shops are filled with all that ingenuity
and prolific fancy has created or devised for the
thousand real or imagined necessities of that
queer creature-man, or that still more tantas-
teal piece of creation, designated by some sar-
castle wag as Heavens best gift-woman.-
Seemingly, every known land has been laid
under contribution to swell the rich and endless
variety of indescrbable novelties here collected
together; and but few things that have ever had
local habitaton or a name, all that the skill
of man has called into existence, all that his
ever varying and capricious fancy might sug-
gest can be found amidst the vast hecatomb OF
wonders that here meets the view. Even here,
in this gay and crowded thoronghiare, that SIN
gular admxture Of pleasure with business peeps
forth, which surprises an American. shop
keeper, without any idea Of being inattrachve
or rude, will very coolly execute whatever he
may be engaged upon at the time ere he thinks
meet to receive your commands;-they are ne
yer in hurry. Many of them amuse them
selves by having an organ or musical clock
constantly performing, to which they appear to
devote quite as much of their attention as they
bestow on their customers. In their usual in
tercourse with each other and with strangers
the Brazilians are excessively polite; in giving
salutations and greeting the chapeau is not
merely touched, as is too much the case with
some that could be designated, but the head
uncovered. | should think that the hat trade
was profitable one. Among the lions of the
Rua Ouvdor may be mentioned the Saloon of
Madame Finot, French woman, whose es-
Enlistment is well deserving a visit; her col
lection of curiosities is quite large, and the in
finite variety of "feather flowers" fashioned
into every possible design and combination, and
initiating Madame Flora's choicest gifts with a
fidelity and truth surprising, cannot fail of ell
citing admiration. The plumage of the birds
are used in their natural state, rendering the
imitation more perfect, and they are enduring
and unfading. Provided you have lot of mil
reas to spare there is no lounge more agreea-
BILE. Judging by the number here to be seen
and in other shops where properly prepared
specimens are for sale, the variety of the feath-