The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-04
THE BRAZILIAN EMPIRE.
Our Rio dc Janeiro Correspondence.
RIa IL AruYuo AnriI lR5l

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Our Rio de Janeiro Correspondence.
RIO JANxRo, April 8, 1854.
Steamer Sonora-Frst Viep of Rio-Hotd Pharotr
Dinner and BM-Bruzilian Cu,rcncy-St'eets
and Shops-IneI Emperor's Garden-Apenue Of
Cocoa-am Paims-Hospital of San Lsabel-7as
Emperor and Empress--1heA american Consul
i" Busses" in Rio-Healh Of the I0son.
arrived at Rio in the American steamship 6ono-
IA, twenty-five days from New York; pleasant
passage, fine weather. fine steamer, clean BEDS and
excellent table-all except the wine, and that was
execrable. To me, you know, brought up, as it
we're, on pure juice and imlbing the genuine south
side with my mothers milk, the quality and flavor
of the wine drank at dinner are no secondary mat
tiers. Fortunately, had taken the precaution to
bring with me o few bottles of the genuine l."
brand, and thus escaped the suffering and qualms
which would have been my lot had been forced to
swallow those shocking combinations of lOgwood,
vinegar and sugar dignifed with the name Of wine.
In fact, these Americans who boast their superior
'cuteness though they can build steamboats, and clip
pers and some coarse affairs of the kind, sadly
deficient in that exquisite TASTE that delicate appre
citation, which permits one to reach that highest Of
human accomplishments, to be perfect connoisseur
of wines.
The Sonora had on board one Of PRISONS
condensers, which acquired so unenviable re-
putati0n in connection with the Inflated San
Francisco. Its present performance may be
deemed triumph for itself and its inventor. 1t
has kept ore of the boilers entirely supplied with
fresh water during the voyage and the other to 80
great an extent that the whole amount OF saline de-
post did not form a scale exceeding the sixteenth
of an inch
It was late in the evening, and quite dark, when
we entered the harbor Dim outlines of objects
were all we could discern-strong Notifications and
pieces of artillery gaping at us with their
iron muzzles. We anchored just inside, and three
miles from the town. The quarantine regulations
permit no nearer approach till the visit OF the health
officer Even at this distance long parallel dotted
lines Of light showed the direction Of the streets.
and announced the vicinity OF great and populous
| city.
Il was my first visit to Rio, and curiosity sent me
on deck early next morning. The magnificent bay
Of Rio was all around US: Islands and headlands,
covered with Notifications, bristlng with cannon;
fleets Of merchant vessels Of every nation steamers
and men Of war lying at anchor Numerous small
under sail or propelled by long sweeps, pulled by
powerful looking negroes who rose from their seats
and fell back, throwing the whole weight Of the
body upon the oar at every pull.
In front lay the city, in narrow plain, but extend
ing up and covering the hills in every direction.
Every object stood out in bold relief under the bright
sun and clear skies Of the tropics The back ground
Va VIC PSeuiC Vuo ~ OAou
to their submits in luxuriant green. White houses,
scattered here and there, peeped from behind the
trees. Down near the water were gardens and
country seats, clumps of cocoa-nut palm-the dis
tinctive feature Of tropical throwing
up their feathery branches to the sky.
About nine o'clock an eightoared barge, with green
awning and curtains the Brazilian coors floating at
the stern, came alongside. functionary in blue
and gold stepped upon the deck, and announced
himself as the health officer. We had much plea
sure in informing him that there was sickness on
4 board, and much more on being informed there was
none at Rio. Another barge, green awning, green
curtains, Brazilian flag another functionary in blue
and gold and the boarding officer from the custom
house steps on board. Now we are at liberty to
move up to the town. Our steam is up, and in fif.
teen minutes we are at anchor within quarter Of a
mile Of it. Another quarter of an hour, and shore
boat landed me on the quay.
travellers first business is to find lodgings
Out Of several hotels named to me, gave the pre-
ference to the Hotel Pharoux. Light and airy,
with one part upon the water, and one upon the
Plaza de Paacio, its outside was attractive. But
externals are of little importance-let us see the
interior. We enter the salon manger; it is clean
and comfortable, with lofty windows opening upon
balcony which overlooks the bay. 1t was French
all over. The French boast that they are born sol
a;ersntes sodafs think it is more true that they
from Rio JaIeiro TO Honou1u-rrom the Missis-
! sfppi to the Nie--thc inevitable Frenchman bols
1 your soup and fries your omelet. / engaged an
a. aItment and ordered dinner for my party. Isend
you copy, reybdtin,, of the bill for the dinner duly
made out and receipted. 1t shows how we Jared,
and as specimen of the currency Of the country,
Is curiosity