Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/132

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��A MORNING IN THE TEOPICS.

��fat negress follows with a tempting ar- ray of the numerous varieties of bana- nas, which she cries in a lusty tone. Yonder comes a giggling mulatto girl with a pyramid of red and white capi perched upon her head. There is very little in quantity to be obtained from this fruit, but the few drops that escape upon pressure impart to a glass of water a most agreeable flavor. In the balcony opposite, a senorita is peering out from behind the Venetian blind, watching and listening. She has not long to wait, however, for a lithesome negro girl, bal- ancing upon her head a tray literally loaded with gorgeous flowers, turns the corner — casts an expectant glance at my lady, and in a twinkling stands before her, holding out the floral display for in- spection.

All good Catholics must attend mass at least once a week, and at what other time than in the cool morning,, ere the cares of the day have intruded upon the quiet mind, can they give thanks and pray for continued blessings? Custom insists that the "dear girls" walk in front of papa and mamma, and although "min- ha moca" does not like the restraint, she is quite safe ; for what black-moustached Don would dare to wink at her, knowing that the stern eye of pater familias would instantly detect any attempt at conniv- ance? It matters not to which church they go. there being but one religious be- lief in Brazil, and the pews are carried by the servant, in the shape of cushions upon which to kneel. All is hushed with- in the sacred edifice, the exhalations from burning incense rise to the gilded dome in curly wreaths, a hundred lighted candles illuminate the altar, and before a figure of the Virgin — resplendent in gold and silver spangles — are two golden can- dlesticks containing wax candles, which are kept continually burning. Along the walls, on each side, are statues of the pat- ron and other saints, while the walls themselves are lined for eight feet up with blue and white Dutch tiles, repre- senting landscapes and mythological characters. Columns, niches, altars and carved work are white and gold, contrast- ing prettily with the blue pagan scenery on the tiles. The curtain at the door

��parts to admit alike the master and the slave, and falls noiselessly back. Pen- sive maidens dreamily count their beads, while at the font stands an aged sinner muttering a prayer and piously crossing himself. The silence of this impressive scene is only broken by the voice of the priest, proclaiming: "Orate, fratres;" and the devotion with which the kneel- ing multitude respond to his reverential call for prayer gives unmistakable evi- dence of the sincerity of their hearts.

Now we will go to the palace gardens, for morning and evening they are open to the public, and highly do the people appreciate this invitation to the royal bowery. And they should, for a more delightful spot does not exist in the em- pire. Rare and beautiful flowers are growing in wild profusion along the walks, climbing over hedges, and even mounting high in the branches of the tamarind. The four-angle cactus is per- haps the ugliest specimen in the floral kingdom, but its large white blossom is rich in all that the stock is so poor. The pin-pillow, winged and snake cactus are all beautiful, and inspired Mrs. Sigour- ney to write :

"Who hung thy beauty on such a rugged stock ?» etc.

Lines of the corrol tree, with its flowers of the deepest crimson, extend from the main gate to the palace, and climbing plants of every hue hang in festoons from branch to branch. Under the shelter of a fan-like palm, and scarcely visible for its density, are the acacias and sensitive- plants ; the one with airy foliage trem- bling at every movement of its elegant golden blossoms, the other timidly shrinking from the slightest touch and vainly striving to hide its pink flowerets from the morning sun. Near the palace is a small square, surrounded and nearly concealed by a circle of mango trees in- terspersed with Brazillian thorn. Here, when the executive pleases, the govern- ment band furnishes music for the vis- itors, and upon occasions the president (of the province) occupies his private pavilion. On these "presidential even- ings" the elite congregate in large num- bers to pay their respects ; for it is con- sidered quite the thing to be at least ac-

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