Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-03-21
Pr is between 5 and 6 on a sum-
mer morning that the entrance 70
Rio bay is most brilliantly fascin-

mer morning that the entrance u
Rio bay is most brilliantly fascin'
ating. The captain warned us TO
be up in time to see the sun rise
over the city, the jewel OF Brazil AS
1t rose, dispeHing the mist. what
wondrous beauties were then unfolded
before our eyes!
The first thing to greet us was
Sugar Loaf mountain. rising abruptly
from the waters edge high into the
air-its position much as sentineFs'
standing guard over the city and bay
As the ship slowly entered the land
locked harbor. with forts to the right
and to the left. the view Of the horse
shoe bay was marvellous. AT that
early hour little ferry boats were ply.
ing busily from one end OF the bay to
the other
The fort to the right. the larger OF
the two. is built upon rock which
rises about twenty feet out of the wa
ter. Chambers are hewn out OF the
center. and at intervals large guns
project out of the rock In cases OF
great danger these chambers are used
as places of retreat. ard at the same
time AFFORD means to keep the enemy
at bay.
The mist had entirely lifted from
the city. and the sloping streets. lined
with red-tiled roofs, snHggled In
among the most luxuriantly green yer.
dare. could be seen Rio is built upon
hills. with Corcovado and Tijuca. two
lofty mountains. rising high above the
city.
The ship had now dropped anchor.
and the inspection officers came on
board to examine grips and other
small luggage trunks and larger lug
gage having to go through the Gus
temhouse
All is excitement Hotel porters
are boosting for the hostelries. and
boatmen. who have come from the
wharf in swarms. are clambering on
heard. bargaining to take his ashore
These boatmen are the hardest to
bargain with In all South America.
Their prices are always exorbitant,
and II takes some dickering TO get
them within reason,
After landing we walked few short
blocks which lead to the beautiful
Avenida Central. Here surprise and
wonder overcome the traveller The
most modern automobiles fly by-yes.
fly by, for their Ia no speed limit In
Rio On the broad mosaic sidewalks
you see people dressed in the latest
tailored suits. also negroes or negro
Portuguese wearing the gayest OF gay
fiesta creations.
The buildings on either side OF the
Avenida are fine. substantial, five or
six-story buildings, often extensively
ornamented on the outside with here
and there one all In mosaic Brazilian
trees line the edge of the sidewalk:
also at intervals they are found In the
grass plots, or little islands, In the
middle of the street,
At one end Of the broad Avenida
are the library, art building, and mu.
nicipal theater: all magnificent build
tngs. The theater is worthy Of spe-
cial comment 1t shows elegance and
richness throughout The best the
aters In all these Latin-American
countries are municipal and no ex.
pense 10 spared to make them grand.
They are not only places Of instruc.
ton and amusement but OF social
festivities also
II you are to linger long in Rio
choose one of the hotels back cof the
CITY at which to stay 1t may take
time to 20 and come but the ride is
worth II Our hotel WAS on the road
TO Corcovado. and the cars make many
twists and turns in climbing to It. At
each turn a new and more beautiful
view of the city and bay below US
could be seen The scene Is especial.
" charming at night. as the city 10
we'll lighted and the lights sHsten
through the trees
We pass many OF the native homes.
which are plastAred Oh the outside
then tinted a pale pink. blue or bluf.
The salmon pink predominates. They
are mostly of Portuguese architecture
with the four straight sides. and gen.
orally three or four stories high This
,,yle of architecture doesn't really suit
this warm country The patio ar
rangement and balconies would be
much better. but then this change
would spoil the charm.
The street scenes OF Rio are inter-
eating There 10 a large fountain In
,aHs Of the main streets, and all day
long men. women and children tramp
hack and forth with jugs or pals OF
water, always carried on their heads,
20 be used for household purposes and
for washing the clothes. 1t 10 a very
common sight to see big negro women
washing clothes ON the hills with the
blazing sun beating down upon them.
The natives not only carry water Jugs
ON their heads. but everything else az
well. 1t may be a table. a sewing ma
chine. or q coffin. as have seen. We
saw men carrying what looked like
wire cages on their heads We sup
uosed they contained small pet ami
~.~~~~~~-~~~->~~S& ,->>~>->~~o->~>,-
Contrary to popular belief more
chickens die from June until Septem
her than in all the rest of the wear.