Page:Historical records of Port Phillip.djvu/89

 EARLY RECORDS OF PORT PHILLIP. 77 been for some time taken into the hands and under the inspection of Government, but the jewellers' shops abound with topazes, chrysolites, and other precious stones. The barracks for the troops appeard to be commodious and to be kept in good order. A small number of cavalry were always on duty, employed in the anticliamber of the palace, or in attending the Viceroy either on days of parade or in his excursions into the country. A captain's guard of infantry with a standard mounted every day at the palace. The present Governor's name is Don Joseph Ferdanez du Portugal — he had been Viceroy at Eio de Janeiro two years and a half. An officer from each regiment attended every evening at the palace to take orders for the following day, which were delivered to him by the Adjutant of Orders, who himself received them directly from the Viceroy. At the palace every transaction in the town was known, and so strict was the search for deserters from the ships, when reported to the guard at the palace, they were almost certain of getting the men by the next morn. In addition to the centinels, every regiment and every guard sent parties through the streets patroling the whole night for the preservation of peace and good order. During our stay the wifes of the convicts were allowed to take clothes to wash with them on the Island of Enchados, a small island with an old monastary on it to the W.N.W. of the town. The ladies and gentlemen we observed were continually walking of an evening quite late, especially when any of their festivals were. Both males and females were early taught to dress as men and women. We see a hoop on a little donna of four years old, and a bag and a sword on a sesnor of six. This appearance we observd as much as that of the saints and virgins in their churches being decorated with powdered perraques, swords, laced clothes, and full dressed suits. Tlie Convent of Sta Theresa we were informed was the strictest of any ; there were eighteen young people there which had taken the veil and they were not allowd to see any one but their nearest relations. The priests were not jDcrmitted to see them. The chapel was very neat, it stood upon the hill near the aqueduct. The Convent De Adjuda. — This I fre- quently visted, where I conversed with a very beautiful young lady named Antonia Januaria. Her polite attention I shall not easily forget, having received great friendship from her, and should I ever return there again shall be happy to see her. [ The next page is Jejt blank.'] H.M. Ship Calcutta, at anchor, Rio Janeiro, July 1, 1803. Friday I. Wind S.E. a.m. — The people employd at the rigging. At 8 sent an officer on shore to the Viceroy. At 9 saluted the fort with 15 guns which was returnd with an equal number, p.m. — Moderate wr. and clear. Saturday 2. Wind vble. a.m. — Received fresh beef and vegetables. P.M. — The men employed variously. I dind on board the Lord Castlerey with Mr. Huston. Sunday 8. Wind vble. a.m. — At 10 musterd the ship's company ; at half-past performed Divine Service, p.m. — A large party dind with us from the Ld. Castlerey.