New-York tribune., 1870-02-05

under tho arrangement for three instead Oh h'o
cents 1t s hoped that this arrangement may DO carried
into effect on the first OF April next .-.--..a e.
BRAZIL.
THE HARBoR OF RIO JANEIRo-BRAZILIAN HOUSES
AND sTREErs-DoM PEDRO's SUMMER RESI-
DENCE-A RAILWAY OPENING.
IRON OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
Rio DE JANEIRo, Jan.--The harbor of Rio
Janero by any the globe for the gran
deur OF its scenery. Through channel no wider than
the Narrows OF NewYork the steamers enterthe sharp
peaked Sugar Loaf rising like majestic sentinel at its
gates Then the Corcovado Tijuca and the fattopped
Gayia rise abruptly from the Bay, with dark mountain
ranges stretching off in the hazy distance. The harbor
then opens wide and deep in circular FORM surrounded
by three magnificent hills with the Grand Organ range
as base purplecrowned in the Western horizon. The
city is built upon series of hills and presents quaint
and most attractive appearance to tho stranger The
moving life Of its streets is not unlike that OF the larger
European or North American towns-but when the
strange architecture the coors OF exterior decor
tion the ow streets brought in as part OF
the picture, il stands unique alone unlike London Paris
or New-York. having all the characteristics OF the
tropics and OF the old-time civilization OF
which it is the growth. The city has less than
half a million Inhabitants. and is full OF tascina-
ting interest TO one who for the nrst uine'
wanders about streets The houses are OF one and
two stories with iron balconies The latter are always
occupied either behind attced shades or exposed
TO direct observation ladies OF Rio while away their
tme often with operaglasses in their hands, observing
tho glittering life of the streets as it flows by them
through the day. These houses OF slight construc
tion built OF sticks and mud pastered between smooned
down to surface by cement to receive the vermiion
and yellow wash which to be the favore coors
with Brazilians good frost would destroy half the
houses in Brazil The Rua OvadOr is the Palas Royal
Rio Charming little shops are here as Drliant as
Paris at night and fascinating Every article that
the rich markets Of India Europe can furnish are pre-
sented here displayed with taste and skill that only
Partisan artists can rival.
Petropos the Summer residence of the Emperor so
miles from Rio reached by steamer. rail. and diligence
As whred over this singletrack road bult ana
equipped in the English STYLE the dark black mountains
stood in the gloomy back ground cavernous nacces
sbe with forests which no sun can penetrate mass OF
black rocks and trees OF majestic FORM AT the sta
ton the foot of the Sierra the dgences were waiting
and at the crack ohe Portuguese drivers whip the four
mules started up the mountain road at bound. THIS
road extends lCO miles through the mountains to
Entire Rios and n magnificent triumph Of engineering
skill To Petropols, 70 miles IT rises one foot in 49,
solid road-bed of Maeadam. of a width ample for
such teams to travel abreast over all the
sharp turnings of the winding way Heavy walls of
sonry constructed both sides Of the road for pro-
lection from the deep abyss the one hand and the en-
erOachng vegetation aud mountain slides OF rocks ana
trees the other; deep, wide culyerts OF stone
with smooth floors and sides OF masonry out
lets for the flowing torrents which roar down
the hills and force their way to the deeps
below are also frequently seen in the windngs Of the
road, and Clean smooth cutters for the springs and
brooks which trcke the rocks and extend from the
bottom to the top of the We drove directly into
cloud and mist and raiD which enveloped the higher
peaks OF the mountains but in the descent the next
morning foot the full glory Of the scenery was dis
closed. every step this matehess vegetation;
end
creeping parasites Towering from the trees; hanging
moss from wig and branch, impenetrabe growth OF
tangled ferns and cinging shoots OF green palmrees
in every variety Of every shape, mango and um
brellatrees Of q marvellous growth; vegetation cover
ing rocks and trees and walls OF stone alike OF which no
description present picture. The views in the turn
ngs Of the road were beautiful. They opened upon
lovely sweep of valley thousands OF feet below wild
descent OF rocks and trees. TO smiling plain stretching
of 10 the waters edge the blue bay OF the Rio rejecting
the sunlight upon its waters. Above me lowered
the great hills whose peaks. wreathed in white curling
msts disclosed gigantic powders OF rock and the nacces
sble forests which waited for the sun to warm and u-
mine them.
month ago. the Rio Janeiro street railway inau-
gurated with imposing ceremonas by the Emperor in
person. The day was a holiday in Rio. The streets
through which the rails laid thronged by fes
tive people, dressed in their best for pageant The
cars in procession the Palace gates for the En-
peror who, with the Imperial family entered hand
somely decorated car, and driven to the
ton, where an elegant lunch prepared An
other table in adjoining building spread for 400
guests-as rich entertainment, and beautiful in its
details of ornamentatiOn could be prepared in any
part of the world. The railroad is a in its
struction and equipment and, If may judge OF its
value the market quotation of 40 cent PREMIUM
there is every indication that it will be pecunary
success.