Nothing contributes more to the offensiveness of a first impression, than the large proportion which the half naked negroes and mongrels, of every tint and degree of blood, make of the persons seen in the streets. The slaves in general, though often tugging at burdens on cars and low trucks, in sweat and dust, till every muscle is strained to the utmost, are said to be more kindly treated than in most slave-holding countries. The Catholic religion affords them the relief of great numbers of holidays, besides Sunday; and they seem contented, if not happy. Those engaged in light employments, such as vending various articles of merchandise and trade, which they bear along the streets in trays and baskets upon their heads, and those keeping the stalls in the marketplaces, are often seen in groups singing merrily, and dancing for the amusement of the crowds around. Still, in view of the nature of their condition, their number to the eye of the stranger is fearfully great; and were I an inhabitant of the city, there would be times at least at which I should tremble in the fear of witnessing the development of a tragedy like that of St. Domingo. A safeguard to such a catastrophe exists, in a degree perhaps, in the extensive amalgamation, by marriage and blood, of the white and colored population; and in an equality allowed in many respects to the free blacks. Numbers of the soldiers are of this class, and I have met individuals of high office in the army, and others ordained to the services of the priesthood, of as jet a skin, and as pure African blood, as any in the country. Still there is ample room for apprehension on the point, and to dread eventually some fearful retribution at the hands of the afflicted and oppressed. Even if spared the horrors of an insurrection of the slaves, not only the city, but the whole empire is far from being in safety against another, which may be ranked next to it in bloodshed and ruin-revolt and civil war among an ignorant and heterogeneous people. The foundations of the empire, from all I can learn, are far from being sure. It is morally and politically corrupt, and filled with ignorance and superstition; and the leaven of republicanism is scattered so extensively through the dominion, that it is not improbable that Brazil, in her order, will be the theatre of that turning and overturning which for twenty years has kept the neighboring states in agitation and distress. This no philanthropist or enlightened politician, acquainted with the elements of the population, could wish to see-for it would only be to impoverish the empire, and to deluge the land with its best blood, without ameliorating the state of the people in general, or securing to them any immunities-worth the sacrifice-which they do not now enjoy. Every native born citizen of the United States knows and feels as well as believes-the republican form of government to be the best and most noble for a people prepared, in morals and education, for its high privileges and mild dominion; yet I have met none who, after a personal observation of the countries in South America, are not decidedly of the opinion that a perpetual executive, with more than re publican powers, is best suited to their present condition. And this must continue to be the case till knowledge is much more generally diffused than it now is; and till pure morals and an enlightened piety take place of the vice and superstition which too extensively reign. Two objects of particular interest in the vicinity of Rio remained yet unvisited—the peak of the Corcovado, commanding a sublime prospect of both land and sea; and the botanic gardens, founded by the late king, John VI. of Portugal, during his residence in Brazil. The ascent of the Corcovado is tedious, and the weather at the summit, from the clouds which gather round it, uncertain; which circumstances, added to the danger of the way, except to an armed party, from negroes, who have fled from bondage to the fastnesses of the mountain, and are driven for subsistence to theft and robbery, have led me to relinquish the expectation of making it. Impediments of the kind do not exist in a ride to the gardens, five miles distant, in the direction of Botafogo; and this morning Commodore Thompson, Lieut. Hull, Dr. Osborne, and Mr. Armstrong, from the Guerriere, and Lieut. Downing, late of the Vandalia, came on shore for the purpose of making the excursion. Dr. Walsh of the British embassy, and myself, made up the whole number of our party. Carriages and horses were at the door by 11 o'clock; and the company arranged according to the choice of each one in the mode of riding. Dr. Walsh, after ascertaining that I was accustomed to pedestrian excursions, proposed that we should walk ; to which I readily agreed, and we followed at our leisure the cavalcade in advance, The heat of the sun was great, however; and before we had reached Botafogo Dr. Walsh became quite indisposed-so much so that we thought best to seek a carriage. As there were none to be hired in the vicinity, we called on the English clergyman of Rio, whose residence was near. He was exceedingly kind, and willing to assist us in our dilemma as far as in his power; but he had no carriage and but one horse. This we thankfully accepted, agreeing, with a laugh "to ride and tie" for the remaining distance: my friend taking the pony for the first stage, and I keeping pace by his side. He is a learned and scientific man, and an amiable and pleasing companion; and notwithstanding the discomfiture of the onset, we had an interesting and, to myself, delightful morning. The road from Botafogo is across a flat piece of land in a gorge, between the mountains around the Corcovado at the foot of which the gardens areand the range terminating at the Sugar-Loaf. It is richly cultivated, and covered with all the varied and luxuriant productions of the country. The scenery on every side is beautiful in the profusion of its bloom and verdure. A charming sheet of water, four or five miles in circumference, lies immediately in front of the gardens called the Lagoa de Rodrigo Frieres-while in the rear the Corcovado springs, seemingly within its precincts, in one perpendicular, and, on this side, inaccessible shaft to its loftiest height. It was so late before I arrived at the gardens, that our party had returned-and fearful of keeping the dinner of the whole in waiting, I took but a hasty and imperfect survey of it. The whole is laid out in extensive squares planted with trees, now grown beautiful and lofty. It was ⚫ not designed for indigenous plants, but for the most valuable of oriental growth-especially for the tea, which the king obtained from China, with a number of families skilled in its cultivation. The plants have thrived well, but most of the Chinese are dispersed ; and little tea has yet, I believe, been cured. The cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, camphor, &c., are growing luxuriantly, as if in their native soil. A fine stream, passing through a lovely valley above, waters the gardens. The attendants were polite and obliging, readily furnishing me with specimens in flower and seed of the choisest plants, and offering refreshments of nuts and fruit: and I had to regret that a day, instead of a half hour, was not at my command for a more satisfactory view of the whole. LETTER VIII. CHARACTER OF THE HON. WILLIAM TUDOR. U.S. Ship Guerriere, Rio de Janiero, THE whole party visiting the botanic gardens yesterday, dined at Flamengo on their return; and as the Guerriere was expected to sail early this morn |