Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-11-20

Christ is said to have bathed. The
entrance to the harbor OF Rio Jeneirt
is guarded on both sides by isolated
mountain peaks rising directly out o
the water. Finally we came to pass
sage about half a mile in width, will
high rocks on each side, and at thei
bases forts which look formidable Il
civilian eyes. From one OF these fort.
our ship was hailed, and having re
ported satisfactorily, We were suffered
to proceed. Immediately after we be-
held the broad bay spread out to view
1t covers an area OF thirty square
miles, and is entirely surrounded by
hills and mountains, the most lofty o.
which rises to the height of twenty
three hundred feet. We came TO an
chor about half mile from the CITY
the principal part of which was con
cealed from view by intervening hills
These bills are occupied by public
buildings. churches, converts and the
country villas of the wealthy, forming
altogether lovely picture. There are
two towns on the shore opposite Rio
In the evening these three localities
are beautifully lighted by gas. From
the ship we could see only the lights
now stretching off in long regular
lines, now scattered over the hills in
charming irregulsrity.
At an early hour on Sunday morn.
ing little boats, filled with fruit, came
from the shore. 1t was not the fruit
seasons oranges were not in full
glory, but the delicious banana was
abundant. Every day parties went
from the ship to the city, and returned
with accounts OF the strange things tc
be seen there. My immediate friend.
did not 90 until Wednesday, Feb. l4th
OF course / went with them. The
first object of interest in our route was
the market. We entered it. / had
not proceeded far, when l beheld q
most queenly fgure-a beautifully de-
veloped negress, with truly royal
carriage, an elaborate white turban ol
great size covered her head, her mag.
nificent arms, bare to the shoulders
were adorned with bracelets, and q
white. close-fitting jacket and colored
skirt completed her costume. She
moved as if fully conscious of hel
beauty. Stalls we're placed near her
fruit stand by the gentlemen, and We
ragaled ourselves with the ever-accep-
table banana. We saw in the market
and along the streets other negresses
who wore picturesquely and neatly
dressed. and possessed Of beautiful fie
ures, but none who, in my mind
equalled this grand woman. The mar
ket was very cleanly; it contained
great numbers OF living fowl and many
other birds of beautiful plumage. and
fruits, fish, oysters, innumerable on
ions, and great stores Of beautiful crock.
cry ware. Meats are not sold at this
market. Having "done" the market
to our satisfaction. we proceeded to ex'
plore the streets of the city. They are
generally very narrow, cleanly and
we'll paved. The houses, mostly oI
two stories, are built of small stones
covered with plaster, which is painted
in various colors, blue. green, brown.
red and yellow, yet they do not have a
gaudy appearance. but as you look
down the streets the effect is very
agreeable. You step Immediately
from the street into the shops and
houses. The most novel article we
saw among the dry goods was the
feather flowers. These are very skill
fully made and are of great beauty
and delicacy. A beautiful little gold
and green beetle is also obtained here,
which, with q gold setting, makes q
very beautiful button. At length our
California friend proposed escorting
US to q neighboring hill, from whose
summit we could obtain view of the
whole city. The most courageous oil
the ladies accepted the invitation, and
after very agreeable walk we found
ourselves rejoicing in tho lovely pros
pect spread out before US. The plan
Of the city, six or eight neighboring
hills and the broad bay, lay there un-
der the bright sky. encircled by
mountains. The roofs Of the build
ings are covered with tiles OF peculiar
shape and color. Churches, converts
and other public buildings arise here
and there. The squares Of the city
are totally destitute Of trees and
shrubs, but are we'll supplied with
fountains. The hills are clothed with
the rich tropical foliage. We gazed
with delight upon vegetable forms
wholly new to us. The banana, the
palm, the bread fruit and many other
strange and beautiful trees and shrubs.
Some of these are hung with the rich.
est flowers. With wonder and delight
we beheld these lovely children Of ma.
ture. The various shades OF green
have brilliancy which is not usual
under northern skies. The flowers
have the richest coloring and the
utmost delicacy of texture. We we're
not troubled by the heat; indeed the
heat OF the day is often surpassed in
New England. Leaving the hill we
proceeded to q public garden where
we enjoyed, through the politeness of
our cavalier, q tropical dinner, served
up in the open air. with the trees.
flowers and birds about Us of 90 strange
and picturesque an aspect that our
own identity became somewhat prob
lematical.
Thursday morning, the 18th, several
officers from the Shamokin, an Ameri-
can msn.of.war lying in the harbor OF
Rio, came to visit us. Before leaving,
these gentlemen invited the ladies Of
our party to visit their ship. On the
following morning, most OF the ladies
we're in readiness, when boats were
sent by the politeness of the command.
er of the ShamokiD, who, with his broth
er officers, received Us with great cour.
tesy. Two hours passed delightfully."-
in conversation and the examination
OF the ship. Everything was in that
perfect order and cleanliness which is
1 believe, . characteristic of Govern.
ment ships. The reception Of 90 many
American ludies at foreign port was
. novel event. The gentlemen pro-