The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-10

4 ~ NocN w 0Yu.E-xeUOp0tS, EhS Hc0<tHy-lveb
Road-Ihe Path to Petropoi,s- Typographical
Desertpti0n--Mp Palace for the Emperor The
Peopls--Psbitc Manners, &c.
Into almost every nook and corner OF this re-.
markable planet Of ours some eRterpr sing special
correspondent OF the newspaper press, seems to
find his way, now stalking notes. of men and
thirgs, for the inquisinye reading public-now
ot,ing down facts statistical, facts commercial and
facts POLITICAL for the active men of business-and
now INDUCING in more faneiful flight of imagina-
ton, for the delectation of those idle gentlemen who
"hve at home at ease" and, by the side of their
own comfortable hearths, travel over the WIDE
world, most safely and delightfully."-, by proxy.
How many of these useful core spondents you
possess ! will not undertake to say; and yet
fater myself that am the first who has directed
letter 10 you from this remote little colony--a
little mountain bower, deeply hidden, like rose.
bud in garden, or jewel in a casket, within the
overtowering sieIras of Brazil, far away from the
gre at metropois-s sort OF obscure almost unknown
"h8ppy valley of Rassellas "-barely penetrable to
the outward world, scarcely needed by the rest Of
mankind,
Placed at an elevation OF nearly four thousand
feet above sea level, and surrounded on all sides
by mountains, whose giant crests are exalted a
y
walls, as if il were thing apart, and did not be-
long to our noisy busting little world. The very
difficulties attending journey hitherward have
tended to keep it unknown, and of the swarm of
adventurous Americans who have stopped at Rio
de Janeiro, on their way TO Gel Dorado /" of the
Pacific, doubt II any three of them knew even of
he existence of the little mountain retreat of Pc
ropolis. In fact, it has heretofore been accessi-
bic TO travellers only by small mule path over
an ancient road, cut by the Jesuits, and the long
and toilsome ascent of the "old SIERRA" over
steep and rugged heights, or across deep and
dangerous chasms, made journey hiIher anything
but Joke TO persons troubled with nerves But,
happily, these obstacles no longer exist, and "Pe.
uopOlis, the healthy, may soon be better known
10 the world. good carriage road has recently
been opened, after some ten years, and vast sum
OF money, spent in its constructions perfectly
rafe carriage road Of easy ascent-though the way
it zigzags around mountains, and plunges over
vslleys-now terracing lofty crag, and now, with
bold arch, leaplng over some torrent or cataract
affords still, 10 the lover OF the "sublimc and
beautiful" all the accessories he could desire for
his ideal picture. Indeed, as a most daring and
skilful work of art, this new road deserves TO be
named even with that miracle OF Napoeon's ge-
niue, the road over the '' Simplon, or say even
some portions Of our own stupendous Cumberland
road, st cond to none other.
This great engineering fait accompi of Brazil
was, of course, done by the government, or rather
at the Joint expense OF the government imperial and
the g0vemme mt provincial, private enterprises OF
such sort being utterly unknown among this very
slow people. But il has been done, and now
stands substantial monument of the liberal spirit
which las penetrated even into the imperial coun-
ellis of the Brazilian; proof that the most inert
people may sometimes be stimulated To effect great
things.
But Petropolis, what is it. Perhaps, to some of
your readers, an answer to this question may be
acceptable. So, with your permission, will start
from the city of Rio de Janero on a voyage thlther
first go on board small, but comfortable steam.
er, which leaves the wharf, near the the arsenal,
punctually at III A. M, and proceed at good rate
up the magnificent bay OF Rio, winding around the
islsnds that scattered broadcast, and coas.ing
along the lofty shores, for some twenty miles,
when suddenly leave the wide expanse of
waters, AMI wedge ourselves within a ma rrow and
exceedingly tortuous stream, which winds with
sluggish current through a low fist of swamps and
marshes, oyergrown with a rank and unhealthy
vegs talon. But this leads us, through serpentine
courses, &c the port OF Estrear, some eight miles
further In the meantime, we have exhausted every
epthet in praise of the strange and superb scenery
have passed through; even the low sluggish river
with its swampy bank, has received our admring
wonder for "trees of all foliage, flowers Of every
hue, have made the passage rich with recollecons,
and the clngiDg parasites covering bank and re OTIS
and branches, infinite in color and grotesque in
| form, opened 10 us an entire new floral world But
we arrive at last at Porto d'Estrella, where we
| take leave of our steamer, and Jump into what the
natives call gondola"-not the gondola of Ven
ice, nor even a floating machine of any descnp-
tion, blu nothing les or more than simple omni-
| bus, an omnibus like our own of Broadway, with
the exception that mules, not horses prope, along
the hot and dusty road to the little village, or ham,
| let OF Fregosa, some seven or eight miles towards
| the sierra The heat of the road, the squalid ap-
| pearance of the scattered houses, the idle and
dirty look of the people, the half naked blacks, the
concourse of laden mules, the waste and unculti-
waited neglect all around this exuberant land, the
occasional villages, the imperial powder mills, ca
| ravanseres and guard houses. which we pass in
| going over this road, why should dwell upon! Let
us arrive and obtain carriages al Fregosa, and
| commence the ascent Of the sierra. Our vehicle
i ia n heaX IN a
strong ,eam but il the day should be dne through
out we do not object TO the slow pace al which
dragged up the steep ACTIVITY; for, through
he whole sixteen or eighteen miles, our senses are
enchanted with the beauty and grandeur of every
| ie'rg above, below, and around us. But hne
CAV, % least al this season, what We are by no
means sure Of amongst these mountain peaks; and
when il does rain, "you had better believe" 1t pays
| attention To the business OF raining. However,
rain or shine, we arrive, about seven 10 the even.
| mp, al Peiropols, and where, II we stop al the
1 Tier House, good English supper and hearty
| welcome awaits us. ef course, we are in no par.
ucular hurry to get through with this grateful meal
eftertbe fagues OF the journey, especially as we find
the society az the table, including the family OF our
! worthy minister, Mr. Tod, particularly agreeable.
After that feel too tired or IL IL too late, there
/ is too much comfort il the Yankee rocking chair
| in which we seat Ourselves, while we inhaie our
"Babia" seear. and enjoy the cool breeZes that
/ draw freshly through the long verandah-all rea-
sons sufficient for not moving out Of our ian that
| uight-even 10 make the most exciting exploration
among the surrounding mountains. But the next
morning, IT We are early risers, we plunge from
| our beds into baths fed by the cold stream that
| pours down from the sierra, and then mounting
| The vigorous little horses CT Peropolis, take
tcamper among the rocks and valleys, and earn for
| ourselves q good appetite for the ample and quite
| American-lke breakfas! that aw ats our return al
nine o'clock. After that, ninepins, whist, talk,
haRatelle walks to the various points OF interest,"
| Visits 10 the villa, (for our hotel IS suburban) and
| other AIMS ~ menis, while away the day; ard The
evening is spent sometimes by dance, or more
| whist, or NOR anything else you please though
| the highest enjoyment, especially TO a cute. man
like myself, consists m the mere luxury of living,
and in breathing the pure AMI health giving air of
this elevated region, especially after sweiternr tor
| months in the close and heated atmosphere OF Rio
| But have not yet given you much account of
| Petropolis. lie, me 90 on Ia the highest part of
the range Of hills that skirt the norhwt stern side