Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-07-13
miscellaneous.
RIO DE JANElR0, BRAZIL, S. A


In the month Of October, 1850, the beau
tiful Frigate. "Ra,itan." might have been seen
bounding swiftly thro' the dark blue Atlantic
towards this great commercial mart. On the
18th Of said month, the welcome sound Of
Land ho!'' walked each joyous echo in the
hearts of the hearers after having been fiity-
four days off soundings ! was tr..ly cheer
ing sound. Soon hundreds Of anxious eyes
were pceriug in the direction mentioned to
catch glimpse Of terra frma once more. and
surely rougher, more barren or wilder look
ing spot than Cape Frio it has seldom been
my lot to witness! However, anticipation
Of pleasures in the city clothed this rugged
poiut in attractions II is large elevated
point Of rocks, situated on tho northern side
Of the barbor. A long. irregular chain Of
mountains extend from it up to the city, a
distance Of sixty miles
Unfold your pinions of fancy, gentle reader,
and accompany the. We are now entering
the harbor. On the northern side we see
Santa Cruz presenting it's bold, but delipida-
ted, front, gisteriug with its deep nouthed
messengers Of DEATH Every vessel passing
in, or out of the harbor at night is hailed by
the seltry in Portuguese, be the vessel Eng
lish, Dutch. Kanaka, or Chinese; the Diff
Guilty of comprehending the answers being
overcome by merely adding the letter 20" to
the name of the vessel Here comes tie
Custom house officer, dark as an Indian, and,
tho attired in full uniform, his elbows appear
ed to disdain anything like covering, and are
peeping out US!
Further up the harbor, on beautiful lit
tie semi mount. an humble Monastery rears
its head. bearing on its pure white belfry the
emblem Of salvation; the winding path thro'
the thick shrubbery is distinctly traceable /;
the whole scene having the most retired love
ly appearance imaginsble. II was the reali-
cation of my beau. ideal Of retirement. when
disgusted with the frail, Aeeting. delusive
pleasures Of this world, one would wish TO I've
a quiet life, devoted to Him who gave. aud
will surely take, us, either to Himself, or to
receive the punishment which his infinite JUS
tice will demand. should we have been SO un.
fortunate as to have neglected to avail our
selves of the acceptable time!'
Still further up the harbor the coast is Gov
cred with numerous little cottages, forming q
very pretty villa. range Of mountains in the
back ground completing the picture Of Rio
Grande." Ferry boats ply between it and
the city. Now VIC must retrace our course,
and view the southern side. Opposite Santa
Cruz, towers one thousand feet, the celebra-
ted Sugar Loaf Mountain, so called from its
resemblance Gin shape only) to this very use.
full domestic article. Passing this, we next
encounter floating battery. surmounted by
the cross and Brazilian colors. Then love
ly little town spreads its snowy aims around
the foot of the mountain. as though embra-
cling it in gratitude for the abundance of the
emblem Of truth" which it supplies, and
shelteriug it from the destructive gales pecu-
liar to that latitude; this delightful spot bears
the hopeful name Of "Glorior'
Still nearer to the capital. another city in
embryo, rears its vine clad roofs this is en-
titled "Boto Fogo;'' then another fort, sit
uated on Sober Island. boldly comfrohts us,
and from thence as far as the eye can reach
IN south westerly direction, spreads ous the