The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-15

then see flag halfmasted, at the peak of some
merchant vessel in the upper harbor; but l am
happy to say that, for several weeks past, no nav
cases have occurred in the city; and the fine
ther-cool and breezy-of the last week, will, We
hope, soon drive away its last vesiges.
The harbor is unusually destitute of menofwar;
the sickness Of the summer, by which many suf-
feredseverely and the disturbed relations at the
river La Plata, have had the effect of clearing the
port almost entirely OF the usually gay display
Of national banners The broad pennant Of Com
modore McKeever, flying from the lofty spars Of
the American frigate Congress, float almost
"solitary and alone over the naval anchorage.
OF other American ships ofwar, can only tell you
that the brig cambridge is still at Montevideo
that the slo0p Of war Dale has been here, and
departed for the eastern coast Of Africa; and
that the jamestown has not yet arrived. The
Congress came in on the 10Th instant, from the
river after dropping in ut ST. GATHERINGS on her
way she appears to be now busily engaged in
painting and reftting for some other cruise. There
is no othor ship of war here, except the British
steamer Iormorant, with her prize, Sandman
SLAYER, captured few days ago. And, apropoS to
this, may congratulate you and the world upon
the approaching total suppression Of tho nefarious
traffic in slaves in Brazil The government. here
are now really in earnest and are as active and
Jealous in its suppression the English In fact,
the latter have either shamed bullied them into
taking an energetic coarse Of conduct towards the
slave dealers, who, in conscquence, are withdrawing
their precious persons and their capital from the
country, which has now become too hot for them.
But the absence OF the usual warlike fleets, which
customariiy display the national flags of every
country ofChristendom, gives to the spacious outer
harbor of Rie a singularly deserted-1 had almost
said dull--appearance though dull it never
be- with the ranscenden. scenery that rims its glo-
rous BASIN with its many tinted populous city, with
its numberess picturesque villages, planted at every
available point; and with the shining bosom of its
waters futtering with the white sails Of commerce.
that every morning the unfailing sea breeze blows
in, and every evening the alternating land wind
watts out No. never dull, but always full Of life
ard beauty pnd towering grandeur, is this wonder
ful bay Of Rio. In the upper harbor, though
biistling with its forests of masts, there but
few American merchant vessels, and the shipping
business is said to De the reverse Of good Coffee,
the staple of export, is down, and still looking
downward. But up, there is the dashing clipper
ship Gamecock, of Boston, reGting, having injured
her manmast past remedy on her passage out.
With the assistance Of some hundred stout fellows
of the crew Of the Congress, sho has Just replaced
her broken stick with a one, and will probably
be ready TO sail in few days; but with this very
slow people, the brura gcRe, all work lags most
horelessly; for they, the poor wretches, never,
for love or money, can be persuaded to break
any day set apart for the dcvout delectation of
the most insignificant saint Of the calendar.
AS tho captain Of tho Gamccock said, with
salt sea growl, they have only three hundred
and sixtyStr holydays ia the year; and it is
certain, that in the last week have witnessed not
less than five. fefaS' ln one Of these-the
chief day of all the year-and ST Georges own
the Emperor walked in the procession in full regi.
mentals. lie supported (Which, in the sun, and
bare headed d, must have been borc,) one end Of
gorgeous canopy, under which, as under an immense
umbrella, understanding or other belonging
70 the church, don't know what. only know
that his majesty lookedhot and tired, anidisgused
with everything but the bright eyes that looked
down upon him from the balconies You must
know that he is one OF the finest personages imagi-
nable, "lormed TO make women false" especially
when doeked out in his parade ornaments VI, as
Byron says Of Lord Henry -