Hunting a home in Brazil

by James McFadden Gaston

Receiving an invitation from Dr. Raney, the chief of the Ferry Company, to take a ride with him on one of the boats, we crossed the bay to the town of Nitherohi; and learned that this was entirely distinct from the city of Rio, being the capital of the province of Rio de Janeiro, and having its own independent municipal regulations. San Domingos constitutes an adjunct to this, and is the seat of numerous factories of cigarettes, while it is a most attractive home for private families.

There are two landings, at which these boats stop, and the number of persons getting on and off, morning and evening, are almost equal to that of the New York and Brooklyn ferry boats. There is not, however, such a continuous passing during the day and night, though a single boat finds profitable employment until 12 o’clock at night.

The fee for ferriage during the day is six cents. This is doubled from dark until 9 o’clock, when it is again doubled until 10 o’clock, and from this until 12 o’clock the last is doubled, making the fare fifty cents. Thus persons who keep late hours, attending theatres, balls, or parties in the city, are taxed with extra fare to return to their homes, and it must have some effect towards inducing men to remain with their own families during the evenings.

It is an interesting fact that these boats, being similar to the double-enders of New York, should have been brought across the ocean from the United States by their own engines; and though they were in a gale, and got separated on the way, they suffered but little damage, and reached here in good condition for service. Besides the two that steamed out, there was a third brought upon the water, by a temporary rigging of sails. The whole was superintended by Dr. Raney in person, and indicates much energy and business capacity on his part. There is another boat, which was purchased in Rio, and has been remodelled so as to suit this special service, but it is not yet ready to go upon the line of the ferry company.

The daily receipts on this line of ferry boats are not usually less than four hundred dollars, which no doubt covers the wear and tear, with interest on the capital, and leaves a large net income. Yet the payments required for putting every thing in thorough order has prevented large dividends to stockholders.

The Corcovado mountain is the highest accessible point around the city, and having a road to its summit, the visitor finds there seats for his comfort, and enjoys a view of all the surroundings of the city. Upon the slope at the foot of this mountain is a country which is resorted to by the curious, and presents many elaborate works of art, mingled with the beauties of nature, to grace the last resting-place of man’s frail body.

One of the most conspicuous features of the populated portion of the city is the signal telegraph at the observatory, upon the elevated Morro do Castillo. Here, a flag pole with arms and cords, for the attachment of various signals, stands in bold relief above the busy throng of people; and when a vessel is seen to approach from the ocean, such flags are raised as indicate to all the initiated what is the character of the vessel, and from whence she comes, usually two or three hours before her arrival. Upon this hill is also located the military hospital, which has the reputation of being a remarkably well-regulated establishment, for the treatment of those connected with the public service.

The monastery is a very extensive structure located upon the Morro San Antonio, and, being far above the ordinary haunts of the population, affords the monks comparative exemption from any of the annoyances of their fellowmen.

Upon the Morro de São Bento is located the convent, for the accommodation of the Sisters of Charity, and here, I am informed, quite a large number of nuns are congregated, as a place of perpetual seclusion from the snares and temptations that are supposed to beset the sex in this sinful world.

Among the elevations of celebrity, either for their public occupation or as the residence of persons of distinction, are the Morro da Gloria, Morro do Senado, and the Morro do Livramento.