The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-29
THE ROYAL PALMS OF BIO
Half Days Excursion Which Alone Is
Worth the Long Journey to Brazil.
Passing Glimpses of Brazilian Institutions
The Famous "Jardin BOtanicO." Which Has
No Rival Elsewhere in the World.

Special Correspondence of the Sunday Journal.
Rio DE JANEIRo, April 20.-The very first
day of leisure which q stranger in Rio can
find should be devoted to the world-re-
nowned botanical gardens. which lie about
seven miles southwest from the city. The
ride thereto. which is no small part of the
pleasure of the excursion. occupies an
hour each way; and the cost by tramway
is l.S0O refs for the round trip-a great big
roll of Brazilian bills or q hatful of the
ponderous coins of the country, but in
reality just 90 cents as We Americans
reckon money. At the crowded starting
p~oint-corner the Ruas do Ouvldor and
Goncalves Dias-among the multitude OF
cars painted in all colors of the rainbow,
be sure to take the one with a green dash
board, marked "Jardin BOta2ico." 1t runs
over the oldest tramway line on the south
ern continent. built In 1867 by a
company from the United States
and owned and operated by them
until within the last ten years.
which connects the Capital with several
important suburban districts. Immediate
~ We find ourselves whirled into a point
of interest'-the small square known as
Largo da Carioca, from the reservoir OH its
southern side. which is supplied from the
Carioca mountains by means OF the old
reservoir. Always q scene of busting
activity, this small plaza was once the
most crowded in Rio, because the whole
population were compelled to send here for
water until the present system OF house
distribution, and soldiers were constantly
on duty to preserve order at the reservoir.
In at great building on the western side OF
the square is the hospital of the Oldest lay
brotherhood IN the city Ordem Ter
ceira de San Francisco da Penitencio. of
tn colder branch of Franciscans. founded
in 1922. Only the two upper hooos
are used for hospital purposes and
with O profusion of statuary. This BROTH
erhood owns a great deal of valuable prop
erty in and around Rio, which Is largely
used for charitable purposes. Behind the
reservoir q paved conrt leads to q massive.
irregular pile of ~bnildings-theIr old mon
astery-which lately passed into tho pos
session OF the state, and Is now used AS q
barrack for regular troops. Their church
is the most picturesque landmark of the
neighbOrhO0d, browning q hill back OF the
reservoir and reached by a broad flight Of
stone steps terminating in a terrace. 1t
was built about the year 100. and. though,
now falling into decay, was once celebrated
for the elegance of its decorations.
SOME PUBLIC
Just beyond is an interesting group of
public buildings-the national printing
office. the splendid theater De Dom Pedro
Segundo, and across the street the Liceu
de Aries Oficjos. or School of Arts and
Trades. The latter Is the most progressive
educational institution in the city-a me-
chanics' night school, founded about
forty years ago, and since 1SG5 sustained by
an annual "subvention" from the govern
ment. 1t was designed for the develop
ment of mechanical and art industries,
and In 1881 an annex for females was
opened. The teachers give their services,
ann INSTRUCTION Is gratuitous. Penman-
chanical and architectural drawing, and
various other branches are taught. to
which music has been added for the girls.
it is really one of the most interesting INT
successful schools of Its kind to be found
in any country. Now our car turns into
the little Largo Ga Mae do Bispo-"SQuare
of the Bishops Mother."-so named be-
cause the mother of the first native bishop
Castillo Bianco. 17l4. lived in a
house heTeabouts. To the left of
leads up to the Episcopal Seminary,
Sac Sebastian Church. and other interest
ing places on Castle hill, and on the right,
facing EvaristO da Vi2a street. Is the En-.
glish church-the oldest Protestant sanct-
nary in all South America. 1t was con-
structed under the provisions of the treaty
of 1910. which sti pulated that it should use
no bells ana have the outside appearance
of a private house; and. standing some dis
lance back FROM the street. surrounded by
q high iron pallng. a stranger would never
dream that it is q church. 1t was COM
pleted in 1921. and is now called Christ
Church, though originally dedicated to st.
George. the patron saint of England, and
also John the Baptist. as q delicate compli-
ment TO King John VI, the reigning Portu-
guese sovereign. Time was when q duty
OF y per cent. was imposed on all British
merchandise imported into Brazil. two
thirds of which revenue went to the Brit
ish consulate. and the remaining third was
devoted to "pions and charitable purposes"
which included the original cost of this
church. But for many years 1t has been
wholly dependent upon local revenues.
A little way beyond Is one of the largest
and upliest structures in Rio-the Ainda
nilnnery. which occupies nearly a whole
block. Ii belong s to an order of Franciscan
nuns and was founded about two centuries
and a quarter ago. Strangers generally
Tertiary. and it looks a GOOD deal more
like a place of punishment for the wicked
than The voluntary abode of religious
devotees. Only two of the Aiuda nuns
are now living. and when those aged sls-
tiers die the property-which is one of the
most desirable and valuable in the coun-
try-wlll pass into the hands of the gov
eminent. The late Emperor's mother and
sister Marie Leopoldlna and Dona
Paula Marianns-were buried in the
also Princess Isabelps first born. q girl.
There is only one other nunnery in the city
the COnvento de Santa ThereZa. on the
eastern slope of Santa Thereza hill, over
looking the lower bay and harbOr entrance.
IL belongs to an order of Carmelite nuns
and was founded ABOUT l74J by o devotee
named Jacintha. who persuaded one of her
relatives to purchase u chacara on this
site TO which she and her sister retired.
Their convent was never permitted to re-
ceiye more than twenty-one nuns at q tlale,
eighteen of the black veil and three of the
white. The last admission was in 1851,
and now only about half dozen of the
nuns are living. When they die their
splendid property will also revert to the
state.
AN ATTRACTIVE RESORT.
Turning sharply to the right our tram
way leads into the broad. well-paved Rua
do Passeio and runs past Rio Janiero's
~favOrite public garden. the "Passeio
Publico." Only a glimpse of it's central
lawn and shady paths can be obtained
from the street. but 1t is the most attract
i've resort in the city. though the oldest.
having been opened TO the public exactly
ITO years ago. Many of Its original feat
ures have disappeared. but it still
retains some of the characteristic beauties
designed by its fonnder. the Viceroy Luiz
de Vasconcellas. On its side facing the
bay is al cnormou marble-paved, elevated
terrace. from which may be obtained q
magnificent view of the lower bay and
harbor entrance. Its garden Is filled with
the choicest native and exotic trees and
shrubs; and whether strolling through its
shaded paths III the daytime or by gas.
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