American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-04-30
SOUTH AMERICAN CORRESPONDENTS.
RIO DE JANe1Ro, February IL, l645.

Mo DE J3NElltOj TtbIudIy l-j lOfO'
1t is most difficult to Judge of the Brazilian
ladies, for save visiting the Opera and the
Churches they are seldom seen abroad; iudg-
ing by those have seen, should say that as a
class they are exceedingly homely, more SO
than any civilized race have ever beheld.-
Their style of costume Is in bad taste, too,
leaving the bust much exposed, and strnging
such quantity of ornaments, principally Jew
elry, on themselves, that some of them might
commence shofkeepng. | never encountered
a female, of any rank in life, or of any age or
description, that had not Iewelry of some kind
displayed around the neck, in the ears, brace
lets on the arms, or an amulet of some sort re-
posing on the bosom: the oft quoted line of the
poet, that "beauty unadorned is adorned the
most" is an useless sentiment applied to this
meridian; for, primo, they believe it not: and,
secundo, if even possessed of that which ''soon-
er provoketh thieves than gold" they would
run counter to the sentiment expressed. have
remarked OH the rarity of women appearing in
the street, and relate slight occurrence cor
roborative of it. Standing, one day, in con-
versation with somt countrymen in the portico
of that building where "merchants most do
congregate," a sudden hubbub arose; the saff-
ron-hued, black cloth attired Seniors, gazing
with smiles, and iabbering with endless grma-
ces, their eyes intently fixed on a group ap-
preaching; and what, think you, they were
that SO stirred the multtude?-the captain of a
vessel Just arrived, attending two English wo-
men and their maid, blooming healthy-look-
ing daughter of the Green Isle of the Ocean,
no doubt seeking some friend or relative now
resident of this far-off land. 1t rose to my i'm
agination at the time, that these mahogany Co
lored gentlemen were secretly contrasting the
fresh and rose-like compilations of these strang-
ers with the straw-colored visages of their
own Senhoras; it was really relief to me to
look on their open countenances, the blended
hues on their cheeks, telling of robust health
and the bracing gales Of a nothern sky; and it
appeared quite an acceptable qualification to
the entire assemblage.
The Theatre de S. Pedro Alcantara is an
extensive and handsome edifce, of vast di-
mansions, and save OH particular occasions, not
numerously attended; the company appeared
to me of very mediocre capacity, but the or
chestra both efficient and numerous, number
ing over so persons. The arrangements OF
the stage, appointments generally, scenic eff
fects, ETC., were all Characterised by good taste
and exquisite tact; nothing short of it could be
expected from a people essentially dramatic,
even in the ordinary routine of life.
There are but few horses, either for draught
or pleasure, used, the majority of what there
is belonging to foreign residents: the nature of
the country surrounding Rio de Janeiro, rocky
and mountainous, rendering mules preferable
for any purpose. We are accustomed to Ie-
gard this animal as far inferior to the horse,
the most degraded and vicious beasts of bur-
then indeed; precisely the reverse is the fact
here, the animal seeming to have changed
both his nature as he certainly has his appear
ance. They are docile and tractable, very
handsome in form, kept in excellent condition,
move at fair rate Of speed and altogether so
foreign in every particular to the lank, wiry,
obstinate, ill-looking brute we are accustomed
to, that they seem of another species altoge-
ther. They are as quick moving as the horse,
less expensive in maintenance, as sure footed
as goat, and their hair sleek and glossy
These animals are driven in vehicles, the shape
and construction of which it would be hopeless
to attempt conveying any tangible idea OF; tor,
since the chariots Of Pharaoh disappeared be-
meath the Red Seas pillows, nothing of so
queer and uncouth form has been seen on the
great globe, Fancy, if you can, huge ma
chine, like (really it is impossible to institute
comparison, like unto some ancient Eng
lsh coach, the body divided ''slantendickular,"
say feet in width at the top, twice the same
at the bottom, mounted on enormous cumbrous
wheels, the hinder part compelled to follow
the fore by pole SO long, that there is occa-
sionally doubt whether they are actually at
tached to the same vehicle. This thing is ge-
nerally furnished with shafts; snugly ensconced
therein is a luckless mule, and beside him his
partner in distress, (outside the shafts) fasten-
cd to traces, both sturdly encased in harness,
so weighty and clumsy, SO in keeping with the
rest of the equipage, that one can readily
imagine these poor brutes exclaimng, like him
of CLAIMS and Cawdor, when in precious
"fx,''
-'fblow winds, come wrack,
At least Wen die with harness on our back.n
Astride of the of-side mule is perched a sa-
BILE son of Africa, sporting a three-cornered
chapeau, bound round with glittering lace, blue