Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-05-26
Correspondence.
csrrespondenee Of the sunbury American.
Rio JAxErRo, BRAzfI, I
March % h, 1S49.

Dear HIN my letter of the 25ih inst |
gave you an account of our voyage ,hiiher,
and detailed the few incidents of interest in
our sea life. Night before last we saw the
sunset behind the blue mountains of Brazil
ana yesterday morning came 10 anchor in
the harbor Of Rio. had become no sick of |
seeing nothing but "ihe blue above and blne |
below" that should have hailed barren
sand bank with delight. Judge then il you |
car, of my feelings as we entered this mos, |
beautiful Of harbors. This biy Of N thereby |
or Hidden Water is almost surrounded by
Land, and a. our good sh p steered among the
host Of vessels that filled the harbor, The scene
of every side surpassed description. lnnum-
erab!e small crafts were shooting in every
direction, men Of war rode at anchor with
their National ensigns at the peal, and the
merchant vessels of every nation, some under
way, others coming in, and many receiving
and unloading into lighters, cond scarcely
he counted. Before us lay The city OF Rio
Janero, the larges, Of South American cities,
with its white walls and red roofs shining
with dazzling brillancv, on the hill sides and
plain, amid an exuberance Of deep green
foliage, every prominent elevation crowned
BY magnificent church or palace. Behind
it frown in all their majesty The heights Of
the Gavia, Corcovada and Sugar loaf, and on
the north the tall Organ peaks, seem like
mighty pillars Of the sky. My heart bounded
with joy at the sight! never saw anything
half 40 beautiful.
As eoon as boat was lowered | leaped
into it and in a few minntes we were again
on land. There are no wharves or docks
We made the boat fast at the foot Of stair
way in the granite wall, against which the
waves (it was high tide) were dashiug in an
cry fury, and received ducking from the
shower Of spray, But we have been at sea
long enough to think nothing of that especial
ly with the thermometer (Fahrenheii) a, IS.
On landing we found ourselves in Largo do
Paco, or palace square, amid an immense
crowd, the ma aiority Of which was composed
of blacks who congregated about the huge
fountain from the numerous pipes OF which
, they fill their barrels and bear them Oh their
heads through the city. Many Americans
were there, and we, ,hough ill then strangers.
, rushed into their arms anil embraced them
with The cordialiiy of broihers. The citizens
/ treat us Yankees with great respect, and are
, very hospiiable, but am sorry to say. some
; Of our boys have Knocked down few OF
, them oil very slight provocaion The palace
? in This square is very large building, buili
{ of granite in the oil Portuguese s,yle o
r architecture. 1t was for long time the resi-
P dence Of the Viceroys, bnt now contains the
B. Public Offices. A small suite Of rooms are
! still retained for the Emperor's levee. or
e uala days The people we SAW in the square
were Of every hue and costume. The negro
water carriers appeared to enjoy ,hemselve.
mos, bni some OF ihom cn into little spree
e which was soon qnie,ed by the soldiers wh'
e used the blacks very roughly.
= The streets ofihe city are narrow and pave,
with large stones. The houses are built %
stone, and are generally three stories il
i heiyh, and rooted with red tiles The out
Z side walls rough-cast, that is covered will
a small white stones cemenied together. an,
present dazzling appearance very trying II
: the eyes. There are no horses and drays O
a carts 10 be seen in the streets; their place j
y supple Il by neg'o por,er-. They carry en-
: ormous weights upon their heads and ,rave
!. half rur, bearing their burdens with seem
q ing ease When the hosshead or bale is To-
e heavy for one man, il is hung in sort o
!. swing made by passing straps around il
y through which are stuck The requisite mum
ber Of poles, and these are borne upon tn
Il the shoulders Of the porters. We saw troup
:, Of coffee carriers passing down street yestel
# day, each bearing upon his head a bag
coffee weighing from $50 TO I60 pound.
There were abont twenty negroes in the com
pany, clothed only in short p,nialoons, faster
ed at the waist hya strap They were heade
by their captain, The largest and most aciiv
man in the company, who lead them at
Il tolerably rapid trot. Each carried in hi
'f hand small instrument like chd's rattle
with which he kept time to wild sort o
song they chanied asihey ran. making mo,
hideous noise, worse by far than the ratll
of all the carts in Philadelphia. Besides tn
:, songs OF the porters, ones ears are siunne
with the din made hy the hawkers and pc,
lars. There are no regular markets; b,
J.. each one carries his wares or eaiables abo,
:. the streets or exposes Them for sale at tn
corners. Butchers stalls are stuck in III
., most public places, chicken and other poulr
:. and all sorts of vegetables are carried abol
!. in all directions. Each one cries his ow
:, marketing at The top of his voice, ex,ollii,
. its qualities, regardless of his neighbor, 1
that The uproar is too much for civilized ear
"a Th- chorus of The news boys at the Ledg.
?. Buildings is rich musical treat compare
D. with The pandemonium here There are fe
Of hotels bnt one can get plenty 10 satisfy h
,f hunger al the numerous eating houses. D,
"A sides the fruits well known among YOU, "