The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-12

Emperor, in person, is the finest looking
man ] have yet seen in Rio. He is %
wears Of age, stands six feet and two inches
in height, and il every way finely pispor-
toned. He stands at the head Of the
Church and State, and on Sunday goes
directly from the Church to the theatre
All the amusements, theatres, bull fights,
SC. are open on Sunday. Also the stores
and all places Of business. You could not
tell Sunday from any other day, from the
appearance in the streets. And yet am
told that almost everybody is religious.
One Of the most attractive places Of public
resort in Rio, is the great Botanical and
Flower Garden, situated some eight miles
from the city The Emperor has recently
ordered this garden, as also many other
places of public resort, to be thrown open
free to all strangers This lies in valley
surrounded by mountains, whose peaks all
most reach to the clouds.
Some of these are barren and bold 9th
ers covered with trees and howers--pre-
senting a most grand and picturesque scene.
The garden contains about fifty acres Of
lard, and is divided into squares, plats,
walks, &c. Millions OF money must have
been spent in arranging and identifying It,.
One part is devoted to plants and flowers,
and the other to fruits and trees ofinterest. -
Nearly all the tropical fruits and plants o.
the world are found here As we passed
through the garden noted down the follow
ing as they were pointed out by the guide
Jack fruit, cactus or prickly pear, bamboo
cane, coffee, green and black tea, bananas,
oranges, lemons, cocoa-nuts, camphor, nut
megs, india rubber tree, air plant, ambra
jamble, cloves, cinnamon, columbus, alligator
pear, citrons, lines, peanuts and almonds.
Much Of the fruit was ripe, and we were
allowed to eat what we pleased. In the
centre Of the garden stands house made
entirely Of green trees and shrubbery grow
ing in full luxuriance. The foundation is
raised some twelve feet above the surround
ing earth-but all of earth. The house has
six open windows on each side, and is thirty
by fifty feet square In the centre stands
a large marble table beautifully carved the
whole presenting unique and beautiful
appearance.
From the side Of one Of the adjacent
mountains flows large stream Of fresh
water. This stream in descending falls
over ten precipices, all Of which you can see
from one point in tie garden Just before
the stream reaches the lowest point it is
divided and conducted by many small
streams to every part Of the garden While
standing in the centre Of this garden and
gazing upon the fruits, the flowers, the shade
trees, the ri lssof water, and the whole sur
rounded by mountains whose peaks shoot
above the clouds, it seemed as though Ma
ture al a Art had been in strife to out-do
each other. Mature to astonish by the
grandeur and magniicence Of the mountain
scenery, and Art to delight by the beautiful
arrangement Of the plants, flowers and
fruits.
III had not already tired your readers, |
would give an account Of my walk yesterday
to the Cercovado Mountain, which is some
eight miles from the city. This mountain
is about 5000 feet above the level Of the
sea.-N. " Tribune