Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-07-24

on q Monday morning when we left
the unbearably hot city Of Rio, drove
to the harbor, and went on board Of
little steamer, about as large as a
| common size railroad car. The day
was hot, but the sky was clouded, SO
that we were at least protected
against the burning rays of the sun.
In an hours time we were steamed
across the splendid bay of Rio, for
Petropolis, situated on the opposite
side. The bay of Rio is SO large
that it contains several hundred
islands. We passed a great number
of them. Some were covered with
luxuriant vegetation, and houses are
scattered here and there near the
shore, or are partly visible through
the beautiful green of the tropical
trees; others again consist only of
bare rocks. A magnificent spectacle
is presented by these rocks. Great,
| gigantic, smooth stones, one laid
upon the other, hanging over the
water, as if the hand of man had
placed them there with great art and
diligence. The boat had left Rio at
2 o'clock, and at little after 3
o'clock we reached the opposite
shore. We Immediately entered the
railroad cars, and rode for about an
hour at a terrible rate Of speed
through a low wooded country,
sometimes uncultivated pralries, COW
cred with broad leafed grass, seven
feet high, and sometimes fine broad
fields, planted with corn and sugar
cane.
The cars stopped at the foot Of a
mountain, seemingly as high as the
clouds. | wondered how we could
possibly ascend to such height.
We, however, entered a heavy
wagon, and four strong mules
dragged us along. The road which
leads to Petropolis is a truly aston
ishing and interesting work of art.
1t is so wide that two wagons can
easily pass at the same time. 1t is
as smooth as a macadamized road,
and is protected on one side by a
wall which is continued up to the
summit. Every traveller who visits
Rio ought to see this wonderful road.
During the ascent Of the mountain a
continuation of new views delights
the eye Of the traveller; the most
magnificent waterfalls, murmuring
rivulets, majestic trees, and the rich
green of tropical vegetation.
After the lapse of an hour
about halfway up-the mules were
changed, and we had, in the forest
solitude, the pleasing view Of a little
| farm house. Before the door stood a
young German and his wife. The
latter bore in her arms little light
haired child. After a short delay
we proceeded onward, before long
we had the lower stratum of clouds
beneath us, and the world seemed to
be covered with large white vail
At last the summit was gained, and
the surprised eyes Of our little party
looked upon a new world.
Here, high above the clouds, 9
peaceful valley lay before us. Or
both sides of the road stood neat
clean. looking houses, surrounded by
| gardens filled with the most fragrant
flowers. This valley is elevated SC
high above the earth that it almost
seems as if nothing could disturb it,
quiet and peace.
The land upon which Petropolis
was built formerly belonged to the
Emperor. When German colonists
arrived every one of them received
piece of land, for which they had
to pay small yearly sum Of money
to the government. All the people
here have fresh, healthy-looking
compilations, even consumptive pa
tients, who come to this Rio, fine
the location to their advantage. The
air is always mild, fresh and moist
we could feel its beneficial effects
upon the system after the first
twenty-four hours of our stay here
If we expose ourselves to the rays
of the sun, we, of course, feel it, al
Brazilian sun is always felt; but
, fresh breeze is most always blowing
!, so that we cannot at all complain Of
heat in the shade and inside of tn
, house. In the morning the weathe
:, is always fine; in the afternoon
| whoever, rain falls regularly. Th
morning hours, are, consequently
mostly selected for walking, out
We get here good, fresh, hard but