The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-03-14
Rio de JaneirO.

The city of Rio, though resembling
in some respects its sister cities, has
decided character of its own. Although
not ignorant of its importance as a
commercial center, we are surprised to
learn of its extent and population and
to find that it compares so favorably
with the large cities of Europe and the
United States. The streets, though
narrow, are well paved and kept in
good condition. Several lines of street.
cars, starting near the center of the city,
afford an easy means of transportation
to the suburbs. The shop windows
display varied assortment of choice
goods. In the Rua do Ouvidor, the
principal promenade, too narrow for ac-
commodation of carriages, but tbronged
with misunderstanding pedestrians on
every pleasant afternoon, the costumes
of the ladies are rich and elegant, rival
ing those of the far-famed " Paris
iennes." Indeed, the national love of
bright colors is strikingly apparent
here, and these southern beauties APP
pear decked in hues radiant as the
plumage of the birds in their Brazilian
forests. An hours ride from our hotel
in the open street-car brings us 20 the
Botanical Garden, delightful retreat
from the heat and hurry of the city.
On passing beneath the entrance gate
we stand at the end of the long avenue
of " giant palms," which is deservedly
considered one of the chief lights of
Rio. The broad, gravel walk is flanked
on either side by line of these mag
nificent trees, which are perfectly
straight and of uniform height-over
one hundred feet. They have no foliage
except the great tuft at the top. A
friend to whom the charms of Rio are
not new remarks upon their striking
resemblance to feather-dusters, which
assertion, however, we Indignantly
deny. The branches which form the
tuft appear small enough as seen from
below, but one of them which has fall
len to the ground and is being dragged
off with no small eXertion by one of
the gardeners measures certainly eight
or ten feet in length Rambling about
from one attractive spot to another, we
discover a wonderful path shaded by
bamboos. These grow in large clumps,
with most delicate foliage, the outer
ones bending gracefully and completely
shading the footpath beneath. An ar
tifcial lake adds to the beauty of the
place, and beds, which are masses of
brilliant coloring, form bright spots
here and there. One day we devote to
the Corcorado Mountain, which rises
three thousand feet above the sea level.
A railroad, similar in construction to
our Mount Washington railroad, car
ries us nearly to the top, a few min
utes' walk beyond this bringing us to
the very topmost peak, where an iron
pavilion has been built of sufficient
strength to withstand the force of the
terrible winds which prevail here. One
side of the mountain rises almost per-
pendicularly and the view, looking di-
rectly down upon the city and harbor
from this point of altitude, is unsur-
passed by anything either in the new
or old world. Not sound reaches us
from below, although we can distin-
guish various objects without difficulty
As we stand gazing almost breathessly
down the air becomes obscured, clouds
form some distance below us, and grad
ually the whole city is cut off from our
sight, leaving us, as it seems, suspended
between earth and sky. We wait in
vain to catch another glimpse of the
wonderful panorama. The rain sets in
and we are forced to succumb to the
inevitable and turn our faces home
ward. Our stay at Rio is full of enjoy
ment. A volume might be filled with
descriptions of the many novel sights
and scenes which are so interesting to
those born and bred in the North. But
although these experiences are pleasant
for time, it would be difficult to
reconcile ourselves to the thought of
remaining permanently in country
which presents so striking contrast tc
our own; and we are not prepared tC
disagree with the remark of our face
tious friend, who assures us that the
finest view of Rio harbor is as one sees
it from the deck of an American steamer
bound for New rk.-Cor. Traveller.