adieus and step into the carriage on our way to Barra by rail en route to Rio de Janeiro.  After passing through several long tunnels at the top of the Serra, the line drops down to Palmeiras, after which the descent became very picturesque, as we passed, by steep inclines, through virgin forests full of creepers, ferns, flowers, and orchids.  The sunset was magnificent, and the subsequent coolness of the atmosphere most grateful.  Leaving the Emperor’s palace of Sao Christovao behind, Rio was entered from a fresh side.  It seemed a long drive through the streets to the Hotel de l’Europe, where, after an excellent though hurried dinner, we contrived to be in time for a private representation at the Alcazar.  As a rule, ladies do not go to this theatre, but there were a good many there on the present occasion.  Neither the play nor the actors, however, were very interesting, and all our party were excessively tired; so we left early, and had a delightful row off to the yacht, in the bright moonlight.

Monday, August 28th.—­We have all been so much interested in the advertisements we read in the daily papers of slaves to be sold or hired, that arrangements were made with a Brazilian gentleman for some of our party to have an opportunity of seeing the way in which these transactions are carried on.  No Englishman is allowed to hold slaves here, and it is part of the business of the Legation to see that this law is strictly enforced.  The secrets of their trade are accordingly jealously guarded by the natives, especially from the English.  The gentlemen had therefore to disguise themselves as much as possible, one pretending to be a rich Yankee, who had purchased large estates between Santos and San Paulo, which he had determined to work with slave instead of coolie labour.  He was supposed to have come to Rio to select some slaves, but would be obliged to see and consult his partner before deciding on purchase.  They were taken to a small shop in the city, and, after some delay, were conducted to a room upstairs, where they waited a quarter of an hour.  Twenty-two men and eleven women and children were then brought in for inspection.  They declared themselves suitable for a variety of occupations, in-door and out, and all appeared to look anxiously at their possible purchaser, with a view to ascertain what they had to hope for in the future.  One couple in particular, a brother and sister, about fourteen and fifteen years old respectively, were most anxious not to be separated, but to be sold together; and the tiny children seemed quite frightened at being spoken to or touched by the white men.  Eight men and five women having been specially selected as fit subjects for further consideration, the visit terminated.

The daily Brazilian papers are full of advertisements of slaves for sale, and descriptions of men, pigs, children, cows, pianos, women, houses, &c., to be disposed of, are inserted in the most indiscriminate manner.  In one short half-column of the ’Jornal do Commercio,’ published within the last day or two, the following announcements, amongst many similar ones, appear side by side:—­