The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-23
Our South American Correspondence.

Rio DE JANEIRo, April 3, 1853.
Interesting Account OF the Ascent and Descent Of
Mount Crcdrddo-Vistt to the Botanical Gar
dens-1he Alley of Palms-IAe Tea Plant
Jaca Tree and Bread Tree, &C., &c.
My last communication, under date Of August Sd,
Iperceve by your file Of subsequent date, reached
you. Since then have rambed over q large section
of Brazil but will conne nay remarks at this present
time to perilous ascent to the summit Of Mount
Corcavado, which we reached at mid day.
We left this city at sunrise on the Sd instant, by
way Of st. Theresa, few miles distant, and shortly
after commenced the gradual ascent, keeping close
along the aqueduct almost the entire distance. BY
the way the fine and beautiful water that supples
the city is entirely procured from these mountains,
and the enormous and bold conception of the work
does honor to the lethargic energies of the sleepy
and quiet Brazans It is an enormous work, and
will not compare uniavorably with our gigantic
Croton Works. After scaling enormous precipices,
and leapng across frightful ravines, we finally
reached the summit, taking with us our horses the
entire distance.
The still quiet solitude Of nature in the midst Of
these desolate rocks, trees, &C., was only inter-
rupted by some enormous reptile fitting across
our path. l gave I'D the idea of attaining the sum-
NIT, and made up my mind that it could not be
reached but finally reached the top and to our sur
prise found four young Frenchmen playing earteta'
the very summit 1t is some $500 feet above the
level Of the sea. have assembled higher mountains
but never reached summit so difficult Of access.
The remains Of tent are still by the iron up.
rights driven into the rocks. This was done by the old
Emperor, Don Pedro l., who, with all his faults,
was far more enterprsing than his son--present
Emperor, Don Pedro H. After inhaling the pure air
Of this altitude, and stretching ourselves on the
ground, gave ourselves up to the scene before u.s.
which shall not attemptto describe Suffice it to say
that it was the most fearful and really sublime spec
acle in nature ever witnessed. The rolling Clouds
far beneath us, would at times strike the mountain
nd the mist producedb by the rebound would partially
reach the summit and enveiop us. We remained
pom the summit, which is huge barren rock, some
twenty-five feet in circumference, forming almost q
ircle. With this view before us, we partook of q
luncheon, kindly offered by the persons alluded
to- and felt deeply obliged, for fear would have
almost starved had it not been for them. They had
provided themselves with everything, having know
ledge Of the place from having visited 1t frequently
three hours we gradually commenced the descent,
which is quite difficult as ascending, and think
still more dangerous Jumped from my horse three
times, fearing he would lose his hold, and thus be
below.
We finally reached the plains below, and assure
you was not sorry, although was amply repaid by
the sublimty of the scene We came through Saran-
gerias, most delightful country, and the residence
principally of the wealthy inhabitants OF the city.
We completed our tour by visit to the world-re-
nowned Botanical Gardens, the pride and glory Of
Brazil.
1t is some eight miles from the city proper and is
certainly the garden Of the world You have, no
doubt, often heard Of the Alley of Palms, and 80
have /; but my conception of it was far more than
realized when reaching this paradise earth. You
enter through a large gate from the principal or
main road, and at once are struck with dumb adj
miraton, and become absorbed in the view. Ina
CINE long alley some two thousand feet in LENGTH.
and forty feet in breadth, lined each side With
palm trees, which no doubt you have seen. They
were oil planted by the old Emperor, Don Pedro IT,,
and the entire garden was conceived by him and
adorned under his direction. These trees seem to
grow like an onion, being precisely the same shape
and are some forty feet in height and some thirty
apart and the height of the whole Of them does not
differ ten inches. They have peculiar bark about
them, perfect ash color, and from the stump are