t was extremely
well seconded, especially by the Emperor, and kindly taken by the
people; and so this important day ended.

_May 6th._--To-day I rode to San Cristova[)o], through a very beautiful
country. The palace, which once belonged to a convent, is placed upon a
rising ground, and is built rather in the Moresco style, and coloured
yellow with white mouldings. It has a beautiful screen, a gateway of
Portland stone, and the court is planted with weeping willows; so that a
group of great beauty is formed in the bosom of a valley, surrounded by
high and picturesque mountains, the chief of which is the Beco do
Perroquito.[107] The view from the palace opens to part of the bay, over
an agreeable plain flanked by fertile hills, one of which is crowned by
the very handsome barracks that were once a Jesuit establishment. I rode
round by the back of the palace to the farm, which appears to be in good
order; and the village of the slaves, with its little church, looks more
comfortable than I could have believed it possible for a village of
slaves to do. The Imperial family now live entirely here, and only go to
town on formal business or occasions of state.

[Note 107: Nearly 2000 feet high.]

_May 12th._--I have been too unwell to do any thing; and only write
to-day to notice the arrival of the Jupiter frigate, with Lord Amherst
on his way to India, and the rumour that he has some official character
at this court.

_16th._--Lord Amherst and suite went to court in such ceremony as
induces people to believe he really has a diplomatic character here. The
Alacrity has arrived from Valparaiso, and has brought me some old
letters from England that have helped my sickness to depress my spirits.
'Tis after all a sad thing to be alone and sick in a foreign land! The
Doris also is arrived from Bahia. She has had no direct communication
with Lord Cochrane's little squadron; but it seems, that with his six
ships, he keeps the enemy's fleet of fifteen sail in check. The town of
Bahia is said to be in a dreadful state for want of provisions. The
slaves are daily dying in the streets. Some houses, after appearing shut
up for some days, have been opened by the police officers, who have
found the masters escaped, and the slaves dead.--Twice a day the gates
have been opened to allow the women and children to leave the town. Some
of the officers of the Doris had the curiosity to attend on one of these
occasions, and saw 500 persons, laden