which grows to the height of from fifteen to twenty feet, is converted to some useful purpose; fans, for instance, being made of the leaves. There are two kinds of this fruit cultivated at Rio; one small and sweet, the other somewhat larger, and of coarser grains. The tree bears in a few months after being planted; and, as before intimated, the quantity of nutriment in the fruit is very considerable.

Next to this, in quality, quantity, and importance, is the Brazilian orange, of which there are several varieties; and the orchards or groves in which they are cultivated are replete with beauty and redolent of fragrance. Pineapples, in their season, are extremely plentiful. The custard-apple, the guava, the fruit of the passion-flower, and the rich pulpy tamarind, are also very abundant, and of delicious flavour. The cashewnut, so well known in Jamaica and Barbadoes, abounds in Brazil, and yields a juice which is easily converted into a pleasant wine. The cocoanut-tree, which flourishes luxuriantly on the very margin of the sea, often exceeds the height of fifty feet, with leaves or branches from twelve to fourteen feet in length. Its fruit is delicious, and too well known to require a description. Besides these just enumerated, are melons of all kinds, mangoes, and many different species of northern fruits, which are cultivated with much success. Cabbages, yams, sweet potatoes, brinjals, peas, and cucumbers, are plentiful, and grow very rapidly.

In addition to these, wheat, barley, guinea-corn, millet, rice, coffee, sugar, manhiot, pepper, honey, wax, tobacco, cotton, and hemp, may be raised in any quantity, and of superior quality. Of die-stuffs, there are logwood, redwood, fustic, indigo, cochineal, and a variety of others; and of drugs, Peruvian bark, jalap, ipecacuanha, the Palma Christi, &c. In short, medical, and odoriferous shrubs are without number. Timber of the finest quality, suitable for civil or naval architecture, is apparently inexhaustible. Satinwood, rosewood, and several other precious sorts, suitable for ornamental cabinet-work, are found in all the forests. Flowers of the most beautiful teints and delicious fragrance, surround the traveller on every side, whether he be on the open plain or the mountain-in the secluded vale, or beneath the umbrageous canopy of the forest. In one word, the vegetable riches of Brazil are, perhaps, unequalled in any section of the

globe; and though they cannot, of course, claim the same intrinsic value, they are infinitely more various, more beautiful to the eye, and of more real utility to the nation, than the glittering productions of boasted mines.

"Let her the golden mine despise,

For deep in earth it better lies,

Than when, by hands profan'd, from nature's, store,

To human use compell'd, flames forth the sacred ore."

Of natural productions in the animal kingdom, Brazil can doubtless boast her share, though of far less variety than is found on the opposite continent. Their horses are mostly brought from the south, descendants of the wild herds which roam in a state of. unrestrained freedom over the extensive pampas or prairies of Argentine and Patagonia. The original stock, it is said, was brought from Europe, at an early period of the discovery, together with that of the black cattle which now overrun the more southern regions of the continent. Among the wild animals, the largest is probably the tapir, or land hippopotamus; but the most formidable is the jaguar, or South American tiger, which seldom, however, approaches the haunts of man. Sloths and wild dogs. are numerous, besides several species of quadrupeds that burrow in the earth. Among the latter is the seven-banded armadillo, a curious little animal, well known in all our museums, and other depositories of natural history; having the snout of a pig, the tail of a lizard, and the feet of a hedgehog. He is armed with a coat of impenetrable scales, burrows in the earth during the daytime, and sometimes grows to the length of three feet. The Brazilians use it as an article of food, the flesh being white, tender, and well tasted. Bats are numerous, of a large size, and very sanguinary. The blood of cattle is their favourite food, on which, at night, they take the liberty to banquet, without invitation or license.

Of the feathered tribe, Brazil can count great numbers, and many varieties. The great imperial condor of Peru is sometimes seen descending on her plains, to prey upon the fragments of the jaguar's meal, or to bear away some living quadruped to his aerial retreat on the highest pinnacle of the Andes. The royal eagle, and the bandit vulture, make similar and more frequent incursions; while fowls and birds of various descriptions

pursue their instinctive habits as nature dictates. The smaller tribes are numerous, and are more distinguished for brilliancy of plumage than for sweetness of melody. Many varieties of parrots and paroquets are found in the woods, and the orange gardens are peopled with hummingbirds.

Of reptiles and insects peculiar to Brazil, the enumeration would be endless. Venomous snakes, together with toads and spiders of enormous magnitude, exist in formidable numbers; as also do scorpions, centipedes, scalopendras, &c. But the greatest pest of all is the ant, whose numbers are literally infinite, and whose depredations are so serious, that villages and hamlets have been nearly undermined by them. Mosquitoes, as we have seen and felt, are also numerous, and intolerably annoying; but the butterflies are beautiful beyond description, and of great variety.

With these brief, excursive, and somewhat desultory remarks, we will now return to the Potomac, on whose busy decks every preparation was on foot for resuming her course to the "far east." Wood, water, and other requisites for so long a voyage, were daily being received on board, where every thing presented diligence, activity, and order.

Nearly a fortnight had elapsed since the Potomac first came to anchor in the harbour of Rio, when her officers, in return for the civilities which they had received from a number of ladies and gentlemen on shore, determined to get up a fête for their entertainment on board the frigate. During her passage from NewYork, some encouragement had been given to the men in favour of forming a small Thespian corps, which might afford occasional amusement during the long cruise of circumnavigating the globe. To many, it might appear difficult to procure proper materials for such a company among a crew of hardy sailors. But such is not the fact. On board of a man-of-war of the size of the Potomac, there are perhaps more men of different avocations, than in any village of even twice the number of inhabitants. Indeed, when we consider that the crew of such a ship is mostly composed of persons who, from desperate circumstances, a roving inclination, or from a desire to see the world, as they term it, enlist in such an expedition, it is not to be wondered that they comprise men of almost every attainment. The profession of an actor is always one of doubtful success. Even with the most gifted

genius, years of toil and repeated efforts are necessary to attain eminence. In the many attempts some must fail, and are thrown out of the vocation by dissipation, and find themselves from necessity on board a man-of-war. On board the Potomac there were one or two rather above mediocrity; who, being well qualified to take the management, as a matter of course, entered into the subject with great spirit.

On Saturday, the twenty-ninth of October, the theatre was rigged on the quarterdeck, and invitations were sent on shore, to the ladies and gentlemen with whom the officers had become acquainted; and, among these, several natives of the country. The piece selected for the evening had been frequently rehearsed; and, as the performers improved and acquired confidence in every new attempt, it was hoped that the evening's amusement would pass off well. At eight o'clock, the deck was thronged with the officers of the Warren and Lexington, the former having just arrived. It was indeed pleasant to meet thus, on a foreign station, so many acquaintances and former shipmates; and memory, active in the reminiscences of other days and bygone times, brought up incidents again to be talked over and enjoyed anew.

But our brightest anticipations are often subject to disappointment, and the sunny smile of beauty was doomed to be lacking on this occasion. The weather suddenly changed, the heavens became overcast, and the prospect of the attendance of the ladies from on shore every moment grew more faint. The performance was finally opened without them; but still it contributed greatly to the amusement of all who were present.

Matters, however, were not allowed to terminate thus. Another evening was set apart for the purpose; the theatre was again opened; and all who had not been able to attend on the preceding evening, were now present. The performance went off with spirit; a dance followed, and the ladies and gentlemen from the city seemed much pleased with their visit on board, and the entertainments prepared for the occasion. But the time had now come for the Potomac to depart, and pursue the objects of her destination.

"Her massive anchors, near this Eden land,

For twenty days had bit the golden sand;

But duty calls, new perils to endure,

And the hoarse boatswain pipes All hands, unmoor!"

CHAPTER IV.

Departure from Rio Janeiro-Glorious Sunset at Sea-A white Squall-A Man Overboard—A narrow Escape-Cape of Good Hope-Arrival of the Potomac at Cape-Town-Table Bay, with Sailing Directions-First Discovery of the Cape by Diaz-Origin of the Colony-Description of the Town-State of the Press, Literature, and Education-Climate, Clouds, and Vapours.

On Saturday, the fifth of November, the stores of the Potomac having been completely replenished, and time not permitting longer delay, orders were given to get under way early in the morning. The anchor was weighed at daylight; but as the breeze continued light and baffling, the harbour was not cleared until late in the forenoon.

In addition to the boats of the Potomac, which were sent ahead to tow the ship, others from the several men-of-war in the harbour were sent to proffer their assistance; and among these, one from his Britannic Majesty's frigate Druid. Her commander, Captain Hamilton, has been long known in naval life, in which he ranks high for nautical skill, and for his urbanity of manners and gentlemanly deportment.

The bows of the Potomac were now laid close to the wind, to the east; and conjecture, even among the crew, as to her destination, seemed at an end. The Cape of Good Hope, Sumatra, East Indies, and round the world, to South America, were in the mouth of every one; while the prospect of passing through new scenes, and encountering new adventures, a little out of the beaten track, gave rise to feelings which seemed to pervade and animate all on board.

A passage from Rio Janeiro to the Cape of Good Hope, however, over a track of ocean which has for centuries been the common highway of nations, cannot be expected to abound with novelty or interest. The logbook tells of continued headwinds -irregular head and cross seas-and, south of latitude 29°, of falling in with whale-ships, and every day encountering the right, or black whale, so called in contradistinction to the spermaceti whale, which is so much more highly prized, on account of its