The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-05-05

nual income is very large; out IL Will soon
revert to the State, for there are few of
the old Friars remaining. The Benedic-
tines have always enjoyed a high reputa-
ton for learning and charitable works.
For half a century they have maintained
an excellent free school. Before the war
for independence they possessed valu-
able library, which included $4,000 theo-
logical works; but during that popular
agitation-when liberty meant license and
independence freedom to rob-the books
were mostly destroyed.
just below San Bento Hill, ON the right
hand side, are the busy shipyards of the
marine arsenal, and on the left, the long
line of enormous stone houses belonging
to the d. Pedro ii docks. These are
among the most important of the citys
public works. The quays have an extern
sion Of nearly three hundred yards, and
their covered piers are 100 yards long.
The company that owns the big store
houses enjoys a monopoly in the matter
of shipping coffee, though but small
portion of it is done directly from pier to
vessel Beyond these quays is an enormous
dry-dock cut out of solid rock The first
island on the left is Santa Barbara, which
is used for hospital purposes during fire.
quent cpidemics of smallpox
The scenery becomes more varied and
charming the islands too numerous to be
named, and ones attention is continually
attracted from the peculiar grouping of
the heights behind the city to the massive
peaks of the Sierra dos Orgoas in front.
The boat passes close to "Governor'
Island, which is one vast plantation,
twelve miles long by six miles wide, with
two or three little villages upon it and a
population Of nearly four thousand A
little farther is Paqueta island covered
with beautiful villas and perhaps 1900 vii
residence tor business men who cannot at
ford the extra time and money required
for petropolis.
From our starting point to the Maua
landing pier, the distance is only twelve
miles. and we make it in an hour. Then
we enter a train of short. old fashioned
cars, and steam. bump, jolt away over ten
miles OF swampy country, brilliant with
| many hued orchids and the flame colored
leaves OF the flower of Lent trec-to the
foot of the Sierra. This famous but most
uncomfortable railway WAS built about
| forty years ago, under 4 concession to the
! Nisconde de NJ aua, hence its name: and in
s. it was sold to the Prnecpo do Grao
Para Go. At point called Riaz da Sierra
the prcSen, Site OF the Government pow
der mills the train is broken up into
lions, tor the ascent. 1t is operated by
the Iiggcnbach System for four OF five
miles over the steepest grade. The alti-
! tudc attained is about 1000 feet. and al
though ancient and uncomfortable the
road is really crediIable piece of engineer
| ing 1t follows the outline of the valley
and the old macadanzed road, and near
the summit is q Viaduct IS feet high and
| ~ feet long. which makes ones hair stand
on ends to cross. At all times OF the wear
! chanting. Looking far below one can see
the steel rails by which he has ascendcd
crawling up the heights like serpent
and spread out like a map is Iii" de Jan
Giro twenty five miles away the incom
parable bay, the low country between one
tangled mass Of flowers and verdure tine
familiar peaks OF 1iiuca, Corcovatjo and
the Sugar LOAD bordered by the ocean
stretching to the horizon Oh one side and
sky piercing peaks on the other.
Arrived at PetropoliS station one may
almost imagine himself in New York city,
so beset is he by yocifcrous hack drivers.
There are a number OF good hotels in
town, each OF which sends a carriage to
the station tor guests. Petropolis is built
| in a large. broken valley in that part OF
! the Organ mountains known us the Sierra
de Estrella. 1t is barely 5000 feet above
the sea, vet 50 cool and bracing in the at
mosphere that mornings and evenings the
semblance of a wood fire is welcome, and
a light blanket is needed ON the bed at
with fruit, and flowers riot everywhere.
It's population varies with the time of year
from about 1000 regular inhabitants to
perhaps 10000 during 1.-THE season.
Through the midst OF the tbwn runs riv-
er, the Piabanha- bordercd by rows of
willow trees outlining carriage drives, and
fringed with dropping lilies, whose great
white flowers perfume the air. 1t is a
shallow stream now ripping quietly along
its deep artificial channel, but they tell us
that after one night of rain during the wet
season it often bursts all bounds and over
flows the roads for miles. Other pretty
mountain streams. shaded by trees and
fringed with flowers, ripple through the il
regularly built-up streets OF the village.
and add much to its romantic beauty.
There are some very handsome residences.
and some that are more unique than beauti-
full willie oddly painted country houses are
slowed away in romantic hooks of the adj
iacent hills and valleys. In the center of
the town is the Emperor palace-a mass
of yellow walls looming up amidst beallti-
ful surroundings of roses and lawns. 1t
is neither SO extensive nor snowy us the
palace OF Sac Cristavoa. but is said to
be much more comfortable. It's grounds
are laid out according to French taste. as