Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

74 mo DE JANEIRO. April chief, giving directions for the positions to be taken forthwitli by the ships of his squadron then present, and orders for the boats to be prepared for landing marines. This was in conse- quence of one of those disturbances almost usual in South America, especially in Brazil. Some outrages had been com- mitted in the town, and a mutiny had broken out among the troops. Under old and established governments, revolt and mutiny are events which so seldom occur that their shock is not only felt at the time, but transmits vibrations through suc- ceeding ages. In these unsettled states, however, they recur so frequently, that even on the spot they cause little sensation, and excepting by those personally concerned, are scarcely remem- bered afterwards. Few strangers visit the metropolis of Brazil without being disappointed, if not disgusted. Numbers of almost naked negroes, hastening along narrow streets — offensive sights and smells, an uncivil and ill -looking native population — indis- pose one to be pleased, even with novelty ; but impressions such as these soon wear off. In the environs of the city are many good houses, in beautiful situations ; and while enjoying delightful rides amidst the richest and most varied scenery, or resting in the shade of a veranda, refreshed by the sea-breeze, and overlooking a prospect hardly to be surpassed in the world the annoyances and the nuisances of the town are forgotten. With respect to astronomical observations, I was extremely unfortunate at Rio de Janeiro, except in those simple ones for time and latitude, which depend upon sextants and artificial horizons. Being the rainy season, but few nights were favour- able for observing the transits of stars with the moon, and those few were too near the full moon to be available. But had the weather been otherwise, I doubt whether I should have obtained satisfactory results, because the transit instrument employed was of an inferior construction, and still more, because I was unaccustomed to its use. So much time was employed, to the prejudice of other duties, in adjusting and rc-adjusting this imperfect instrument, and ineffectually watch- ing for intervals of clear sky, that I resolved to set up the transit