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INTRODUC TION TO
PYTHON STRING MASTERY
: FROM BASIC S TO BRILLIANCE
 Table of Contents
• str Functions
• String Creation Questions
• Basic String Operations Questions
• String Methods Questions
• String Formatting Questions
• Escape Sequences Questions
• Unicode and Byte Strings Questions
• Regular Expressions (RegEx) Questions
• String Constants Questions
• String Iteration and Comprehensions Questions
• String Conversion Questions
• Immutability of Strings Questions
• String Slicing and Extended Slicing Questions
• String and Memory Interning Questions
• Raw Strings Questions
• String Exceptions Questions
• String Interning Questions
• String Views Questions
• String Translation Questions
• String and Time Formatting Questions
• Unicode Normalization Questions
• Context-Aware Formatting Questions
• String Parsing Questions
• String Literals and Raw String Literals Questions
• Grapheme Clusters in Unicode Strings Questions
• String Algorithms Questions
• String Data in Network Communication Questions
• String Encoding Schemes Questions
• Strings and File Handling Questions
• String Performance Considerations Questions
• String Mutability Emulation Questions
• Cross-Language String Handling Questions
• Advanced Regular Expressions Questions
Welcome to Your Python Journey
Python String Mastery: From Basics to Brilliance
If you're holding this book, you're about to embark on a hands-
on adventure into the world of Python programming, specifically
focusing on string manipulation.

"Python String Mastery: From Basics to Brilliance" is designed

for those who already have a footing in Python and are eager to
deepen their understanding and skills, particularly in handling
strings—a fundamental aspect of programming in Python.
Who This Book Is For:
• This book assumes that you:
• Have some experience with Python programming.
• Have read at least one book on Python 3.
• Have Python 3 installed on your machine.

Structure of the Book:

The heart of this book is a carefully curated set of Python
problems, exclusively focused on strings. These problems range
from simple exercises for beginners to challenging puzzles for
advanced learners. Every problem is an opportunity to apply
your knowledge and improve your coding skills.

In the creation of this book, I have utilized the advanced

capabilities of AI, specifically ChatGPT from OpenAI, to assist
in generating content and refining programming questions. This
AI collaboration has enabled a unique and comprehensive
approach to exploring Python strings.

By: Matthew Srulowitz

Copyright © 2024 Matthew Srulowitz
 Structure of the Book
The heart of this book is a carefully curated set of Python
problems, exclusively focused on strings. These problems range
from simple exercises for beginners to challenging puzzles for
advanced learners. Every problem is an opportunity to apply
your knowledge and improve your coding skills.

How to Use This Book

1. Initial Exploration: Each problem comes with a solution.
Start by reviewing the solution to understand the approach
and logic.
2. Hands-On Practice: Manually type out the solution in a
Python file and compile it. This step is crucial for
understanding the syntax and structure of Python code.
3. Challenge Yourself: After familiarizing yourself with the
problem, the solution, and the rationale behind it,
challenge yourself to solve the problem without referring
back to the solution. This 'learning by doing' approach is
highly effective in solidifying your programming skills.
4. Additional Resources: Some problems may require additional
Python packages. We'll guide you on what to download and
how to use these resources effectively.
5. Iterative Learning: Remember, the goal is to learn and
improve. If you don't get it right the first time, revisit
the solution, understand your gaps, and try again. The
journey of learning is iterative and rewarding.

Your Path to Mastery

By working through these problems and embracing the 'learning
by doing' philosophy, you will enhance not only your
understanding of Python strings but also your overall
programming acumen. Whether you aim to use these skills in a
professional setting, for academic purposes, or simply for the
joy of coding, this book is your companion on a journey towards
Python mastery.

Have Questions or Found an Error?

As you progress through this book, if you encounter any doubts
or discover any errors in the Python programming questions, I
am here to help! I value your feedback and questions, as they
not only assist you in your learning journey but also help me
enhance the quality of this book. Please feel free to reach out
to me at [email protected]. Whether it's a query about
a specific problem, a suggestion, or an error report, your
input is highly appreciated. Together, let's make this learning
experience as effective and enjoyable as possible!
Happy Coding!
 str Functions - Question 1
Write a function that capitalizes the first letter of each word
in a given sentence.
 str Functions - Question 1
Code:

def capitalize_words(sentence):
words = sentence.split()
capitalized_words = [word.capitalize() for word in words]
return ' '.join(capitalized_words)

# Example usage
sentence = "hello world"
capitalized_sentence = capitalize_words(sentence)
print(capitalized_sentence)

Explanation:

This function capitalizes the first letter of each word in a

given sentence by splitting the sentence into words and using
the 'str.capitalize()' method on each word.
Output:

Hello World
 str Functions - Question 2
Implement a program that takes a user's name as input and
capitalizes it.
 str Functions - Question 2
Code:

def capitalize_name(name):
return name.capitalize()

user_name = input("Enter your first name: ")

capitalized_name = capitalize_name(user_name)
print("Capitalized Name:", capitalized_name)

Explanation:
This program takes a user's name as input and capitalizes it
using the 'str.capitalize()' method.

Output:

Enter your name: matthew Capitalized Name: Matthew

 str Functions - Question 3
Create a function that performs a case-insensitive search for a
substring within a given string.
 str Functions - Question 3
Code:

def case_insensitive_search(main_string, substring):

main_lower = main_string.casefold()
sub_lower = substring.casefold()
return sub_lower in main_lower

result = case_insensitive_search("Hello, World!", "WORLD")

print(result) # Output: True

Explanation:

This function performs a case-insensitive search for a

substring within a given string by converting both the main
string and the substring to lowercase using the
'str.casefold()' method and then checking if the lowercase
substring is in the lowercase main string.

Output:

True
 str Functions - Question 4
Write a program that checks if two input strings are case­
insensitive anagrams of each other.
 str Functions - Question 4
Code:

def are_case_insensitive_anagrams(str1, str2):

str1_lower = str1.casefold()
str2_lower = str2.casefold()
return sorted(str1_lower) == sorted(str2_lower)

input_str1 = input("Enter the first string: ")

input_str2 = input("Enter the second string: ")

if are_case_insensitive_anagrams(input_str1, input_str2):
print("The strings are case-insensitive anagrams.")
else:
print("The strings are not case-insensitive anagrams.")

Explanation:

This program checks if two input strings are case-insensitive

anagrams of each other by converting both strings to lowercase
using the 'str.casefold() method, sorting the characters, and
comparing the sorted versions for equality.

Output:

Enter the first string: evil Enter the second string: live The
strings are case-insensitive anagrams.
 str Functions - Question 5
Write a function to center a text banner within a specified
width and pad it with a specific character.
 str Functions - Question 5
Code:

def center_text_banner(text, width, fillchar=' '):

if len(text) >= width:
return text
left_padding = (width - len(text)) // 2
right_padding = width - len(text) - left_padding
centered_text = fillchar * left_padding + text + fillchar *
right_padding
return centered_text

banner_text = "Hello, Centered Text!"

width = 30
centered_banner = center_text_banner(banner_text, width, '*')
print(centered_banner)

Explanation:
This function centers a text banner within a specified width
and pads it with a specific character. It calculates the left
and right padding required to center the text and adds the fill
character accordingly.

Output:

****Hello, Centered Text!*****

 str Functions - Question 6
Create a program that formats a table by centering each column
of data within a fixed width.
 str Functions - Question 6
Code:

def center_table_data(table_data, column_width):

centered_table = []
for row in table_data:
centered_row = [item.center(column_width) for item in
row]
centered_table.append(centered_row)
return centered_table

table_data = [
["Name", "Age", "City"],
["John", "25", "New York"],
["Alice", "30", "Los Angeles"],
["Bob", "22", "Chicago"]
]

column_width = 12
centered_table = center_table_data(table_data, column_width)

for row in centered_table:

print(" | ".join(row))

Explanation:

This program formats a table by centering each column of data

within a fixed width. It uses a list comprehension to center-
align each item in each row, and then prints the centered
table.
Output:

Name | Age | City John | 25 | New York Alice | 30 | Los Angeles

Bob | 22 | Chicago
 str Functions - Question 7
Implement a function that counts the occurrences of a specific
word in a text document.
 str Functions - Question 7
Code:

def count_word_occurrences(text, word):

words = text.split()
return words.count(word)

document = .... This is a sample text document.

It contains multiple occurrences of the word 'sample'.....
word_to_count = "sample"
occurrences = count_word_occurrences(document, word_to_count)
print(f"The word '{word_to_count}' appears {occurrences}
times.")

Explanation:

This function counts the occurrences of a specific word in a

text document by splitting the text into words and using the
'list.count()' method to count the occurrences of the target
word.

Output:

The word 'sample' appears 1 times.

 str Functions - Question 8
Write a program to count the number of vowels in a given
string.
 str Functions - Question 8
Code:

def count_vowels(input_string):
vowels = "AEIOUaeiou"
vowel_count = 0
for char in input_string:
if char in vowels:
vowel_count += 1
return vowel_count

input_str = input("Enter a string: ")

vowel_count = count_vowels(input_str)
print("Number of vowels:", vowel_count)

Explanation:

This program counts the number of vowels in a given string by

iterating through each character in the string and checking if
it is a vowel.

Output:

7
 str Functions - Question 9
Create a function that encodes a given string into a specified
encoding format.
 str Functions - Question 9
Code:

def encode_string(input_string, encoding_format):

try:
encoded_bytes = input_string.encode(encoding_format)
return encoded_bytes
except UnicodeEncodeError:
return None

input_str = "Hello, World!"

encoding_format = "utf-8"
encoded_data = encode_string(input_str, encoding_format)
if encoded_data:
print(f"Encoded data: {encoded_data}")
else:
print("Encoding failed due to unsupported characters.")

Explanation:

This function encodes a given string into a specified encoding

format using the 'str.encode()' method. It handles exceptions
that may occur if there are unsupported characters for the
specified encoding.

Output:

Encoded data: b'Hello, World!'

 str Functions - Question 10
Build a program that reads a file, encodes its content using a
chosen encoding, and saves it as a new file.
 str Functions - Question 10
Code:

def encode_and_save_file(input_file, output_file,

encoding_format):
try:
with open(input_file, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as file:
file_content = file.read()
encoded_content =
file_content.encode(encoding_format)
with open(output_file, 'wb') as encoded_file:
encoded_file.write(encoded_content)
print("File encoding and saving completed
successfully.")
except FileNotFoundError:
print("Input file not found.")
except UnicodeEncodeError:
print("Encoding failed due to unsupported characters.")

input_file = "input.txt"
output_file = "output.txt"
encoding_format = "utf-8"
encode_and_save_file(input_file, output_file,
encoding_format)

Explanation:

This program reads a file, encodes its content using a chosen

encoding format, and saves it as a new file. It handles
exceptions for file not found and encoding failures.
Output:

File encoding and saving completed successfully.

 str Functions - Question 11
Write a function to check if a list of filenames ends with a
specific file extension.
 str Functions - Question 11
Code:

def has_file_extension(file_list, extension):

return all(file.endswith(extension) for file in file_list)

filenames = ["document.txt", "image.jpg", "report.docx",

"code.py"]
file_extension = ".txt"
result = has_file_extension(filenames, file_extension)
if result:
print(f"All filenames end with '{file_extension}'.")
else:
print(f"Not all filenames end with '{file_extension}'.")

Explanation:

This function checks if a list of filenames ends with a

specific file extension by using the 'str.endswith()' method on
each filename.

Output:

Not all filenames end with '.txt'.

 str Functions - Question 12
Implement a program that filters a list of URLs to find those
ending with ".com."
 str Functions - Question 12
Code:

def filter_com_urls(url_list):
return [url for url in url_list if url.endswith(".com")]

urls = ["http://example.com", "https://website.org",

"ftp://example.com", "http://example.net"]
com_urls = filter_com_urls(urls)
print("URLs ending with '.com':", com_urls)

Explanation:
This program filters a list of URLs to find those ending with
".com" using the 'str.endswith()' method to check each URL.

Output:

URLs ending with '.com': ['http://example.com',

'ftp://example.com']
 str Functions - Question 13
Create a function that replaces tab characters with spaces,
using a specified tab size.
 str Functions - Question 13
Code:

def replace_tabs_with_spaces(input_string, tab_size=4):

return input_string.replace('\t', ' ' * tab_size)

text_with_tabs = "This\tis\ta\ttext\twith\ttabs."
tab_size = 4
text_with_spaces = replace_tabs_with_spaces(text_with_tabs,
tab_size)
print("Text with tabs:", text_with_tabs)
print("Text with spaces:", text_with_spaces)

Explanation:

This function replaces tab characters with spaces in a given

string using the 'str.replace()' method and a specified tab
size.

Output:

Text with tabs: This is a text with tabs. Text with spaces:
This is a text with tabs.
 str Functions - Question 14
Write a program that pretty-prints a JSON file by expanding
tabs to spaces.
 str Functions - Question 14
Code:

import json

def pretty_print_json(json_string, indent=4):

try:
json_obj = json.loads(json_string)
pretty_json = json.dumps(json_obj, indent=indent)
return pretty_json
except json.JSONDecodeError:
return None

json_string = '{"name": "John", "age": 30, "city": "New York"}'

indentation = 2
pretty_json = pretty_print_json(json_string, indentation)
if pretty_json:
print("Pretty-printed JSON:")
print(pretty_json)
else:
print("Invalid JSON format.")

Explanation:

This program pretty-prints a JSON string by expanding tabs to

spaces. It uses the 'json.loads()' and 'json.dumps()' methods
to load and format the JSON data.

Output:

Pretty-printed JSON: { "name": "John", "age": 30, "city": "New

York" }
 str Functions - Question 15
Write a program that takes a string containing tab characters
(\t) and expands them into spaces.
 str Functions - Question 15
Code:

def expand_tabs_in_string(input_string, tab_size=4):

return input_string.expandtabs(tab_size)

# Example usage
sample_string = "Name\tAge\tCity\nJohn\t25\tNew York"
expanded_string = expand_tabs_in_string(sample_string)
print("Original String:\n" + sample_string)
print("Expanded String:\n" + expanded_string)

Explanation:

This program expands tab characters in a string into spaces

using the 'expandtabs' method. A tab size of 4 spaces is
assumed.
Output:

Original String: Name Age City John 25 New York Expanded

String: Name Age City John 25 New York
 str Functions - Question 16
Create a function that finds the first occurrence of a
specified substring in a given string.
 str Functions - Question 16
Code:

def find_substring(main_string, substring):

return main_string.find(substring)

# Example usage
print(find_substring("Hello world", "world")) # Output: 6

Explanation:

This function finds the first occurrence of a specified

substring in a given string and returns the index of its first
character, or -1 if not found.

Output:

6
 str Functions - Question 17
Implement a function that checks whether a given string
contains only ASCII characters.
 str Functions - Question 17
Code:

def is_ascii_only(input_string):
return input_string.isascii()

# Example usage
print(is_ascii_only("Hello, World!")) # Output: True
print(is_ascii_only(" G^lz^li")) # Output: False

Explanation:

The 'isascii' method is used to check if all characters in the

string are ASCII characters.
Output:

True False
 Another Random Document on
Scribd Without Any Related Topics
certain number of aboriginal Indians, free from all the duties which it
was customary to pay. (Forros de todos os dereitos, que
custamavam pagar.) If this factory existed, neither the period of its
commencement is evident, nor by whom it was established.
The intelligence which the ship of Garciam brought to Portugal, in
the year 1528, that the Spaniards had formed an establishment upon
the river Plate, induced King John III. who wished that river to
become the divisionary line, to despatch an armament, in the year
1531, under the command of Martim Affonso de Souza, with orders
to erect fortifications and to distribute lands to those who wished to
establish themselves in the country. The fleet, after having made and
recognised Cape St. Augustin, navigated along the coast and
entered the bay of All Saints, where they discovered and captured
two French vessels. Joam de Souza, captain of one of the ships
composing the armament, was sent to announce to the King this
circumstance. Martim Affonso continued his voyage to the south,
and after refreshing at Porto Seguro, he found out and entered the
bay of St. Luzia, to which he gave the name of Rio de Janeiro, in
consequence of discovering it on the 1st of January, 1532.
Prosecuting the voyage, and always keeping as near land as
possible, he gave to the most remarkable and important places, the
names of the saints on whose days he discovered them. Having
passed the island of St. Sebastian, on the 20th of the same month,
he proceeded to that part of the port where it is supposed the factory
was situated, and of which no doubt he was previously informed. It
appears, however, after various operations upon the northern bar of
the port to establish there the colonists, who wished to remain in the
land, he changed his plan and removed them to the southern bar. He
spent eleven months in the execution of various measures upon the
coast, and it was the month of December before he arrived at the
river Plate; for the sun, say the Portuguese, was on the tropical line
of Capricorn. (O sol chegou ao tropico de Capricornio.) Not meeting
with any Spanish settlements upon any part of the coast, he returned
to the colony at the southern bar of the bay of Santos, augmenting it
considerably, by giving lands to all individuals who determined to
settle there, in pursuance of the orders he had received. He sent
eighty men into the interior, for the purpose of discovering or making
a conquest of the mines of Cannanea. The entire party were
murdered by the Carijos Indians.
In the same year that Martim Affonso sailed from the Tagus, a
Portuguese squadron captured and conducted to Lisbon a ship of
Marseilles, which had been laden with Brazil wood, at Pernambuco,
where they demolished the Portuguese factory of Itamaraca,
founded by C. Jacques, and left sixty Frenchmen in their place. This
information induced the King to send Duarthe Coelho Pereyra to
expel the French, which he accomplished, and removed the factory
to the margin of the river Hyguaraçu, a few miles distant from the
first situation. This new establishment was the origin of the town of
Hyguaraçu, to whose mother-church the same D. C. Pereyra, being
then the donatory of the captaincy of Pernambuco, gave for patrons
the saints Cosme and Damian, in gratitude for the expulsion of the
French on the day of those saints, in the year 1531. It may be here
remarked, that very little progress, up to this period, would appear to
have been made by the Portuguese for the colonization of this
country, now known to them thirty-two years, and which they had
assumed the right of calling and considering their own.
King John III. at last roused by the attempts which the French
merchants were making to form establishments near the places now
called Pernambuco and Bahia, also by the formation of colonies,
which the Spaniards were promoting on the banks of the Paraguay,
determined to people this continent; and, in order to facilitate the
colonization, he divided the coast into certain large portions of fifty
leagues, which, under the denomination of capitanias, (captaincies,)
were to be bestowed on individuals distinguished by their services to
the crown; and who were to go personally, or to send colonists, in
ships, at their own cost, receiving an uncontrolled jurisdiction over
these royal donations. The historian, Joam de Barros, who was one
of the donatories, and was presented with the district of Maranham,
affirms that the country was partitioned into twelve captaincies; but
there were actually only nine, as five portions which he probably took
into his account, were divided betwixt Martim Affonso de Souza and
his brother Pedro Lopez de Souza, who were the two first donatories
that settled in the Brazil. Martim Affonso, who has been previously
mentioned, received a considerable tract of country contiguous to St.
Vincente, where we left him endeavouring to form a colony. Pedro
Lopez chose his quantum of territory in two lots, one near his
brother’s, called St. Amaro, and the other denominated Itamaraca, at
a very inconvenient distance from the first, situated not far from
Pernambuco, which latter capitania, as has been already stated,
became the portion of Duarthe Coelho Pereyra. The lands adjacent
to the southern Parahiba river were conceded to Pedro de Goes.
The country betwixt the great river St. Francisco, which was the
southern boundary of Pernambuco, and Bahia, was allotted to
Francisco Pereira Coutinho. The next portion of territory, proceeding
southward, was denominated the Capitania dos Ilheos, running north
and south from the Rio dos Ilheos, (River of Islands,) and granted to
Jorge Figueiredo Correa. Cabral’s Porto Seguro was included in the
range of coast which formed the capitania of the same name, and
was a donation to Pedro Campo Tourinha. Espirito Santo (Holy
Spirit) was the appellation given to the next in rotation, and obtained
by Vasco Fernandez Coutinho. Rio de Janeiro was not colonized for
some time afterwards. This mode of allotment was not calculated to
maintain a long duration. The captains possessed despotic
jurisdiction over the colonists, many of whom were degradados, or
criminals, consequently less adapted to live in harmony, and the
whole being at the mercy of the former, complaints were frequent; so
that, after a lapse of about seventeen years from its commencement,
this system was terminated by a royal revocation of the power of the
captains, followed by the appointment of Thomé de Souza, a fidalgo,
as governor-general of the Brazil, who arrived at Bahia, the bay of All
Saints, in April 1549, with instructions to build a city, which was to be
called St. Salvador. The fleet was accompanied by some Jesuits,
who thus obtained in the Brazilian regions, those means of improving
the condition of the Indians, and of the country in other respects,
which has been so honourable to their Trans-Atlantic character, and
which presents so pleasing and striking a contrast to their conduct in
Europe, filled as that conduct was with “treasons, stratagems, and
spoils.” With the mother-country, this colony passed under the
dominion of the Spanish crown, in the year 1580, for a period of
nearly sixty years. The Dutch possessed themselves of Pernambuco
in the year 1630, and ultimately of the whole country from the great
river St. Francisco to Maranham, which they retained till the year
1654. The last Philip, just before the Brazil reverted to the
Portuguese, conferred the title of Viceroy upon the governor-general
at Bahia, who then was the Marquis of Montalvam, and which
honour all his successors enjoyed. The seat of the vice-regal
government was transferred by Don Joseph I. from Bahia to Rio de
Janeiro, in 1773, which expired on the arrival of the royal family in
that country, in the year 1808. Don John IV. gave the title of Prince of
Brazil to his eldest son, Prince Don Theodosio, which descended to
all the hereditary princes of the house of Braganza, till the 17th of
December, 1815, when the Prince Regent, (now Don John VI.)
raised that country into a kingdom.
The Brazil is of such prodigious extent, that it will be impossible
for it to arrive even at a medium state of perfection under the
dominion of one government. Its prominent boundaries, now that
Monte Video is in the possession of the Portuguese, may be
geographically considered the river Amazons and the Atlantic on the
north; the river Plate on the south; the ocean on the whole of its
prolonged range of eastern coast; and the great rivers Madeira, &c.
running north; the Paraguay and Uruguay stretching south to the
river Plate, on the west; although the two provinces of Solimoes and
Guianna, north of the Amazons, and actually subordinate to the
governor of Para, carry its northern boundaries, politically speaking,
almost as far as the Oronocos, making its length upwards of forty
degrees. Its greatest width is about thirty degrees, from Cape St.
Augustin to Point Abuná, upon the margin of the river Madeira.
This vast region, comprising nearly two millions of square miles,
is now divided into twenty-two provinces, including the two
mentioned above, viz.
Guianna All bordering in part upon the coast.
Para
Maranham
Siará
Rio Grande, North
Parahiba
Pernambuco
 Seregipe d’El Rey
Bahia
Porto Seguro
Espirito Santo
Rio de Janeiro
St. Paulo
St. Catharina
Rio Grande, South

Mato Grosso
Paraná
Uruguay
Solimoes Interior provinces.
Piauhy
Minas Geraes
Goyaz

The zoology and phytology of this country extend to such an

infinity of objects, that they would form a separate history of
themselves. They, as well as mineralogy, will be partially treated
upon in the topography of each province. In reference to the first
subject, it may be here observed, that a very considerable portion of
the Brazil is still occupied by Indians, consisting of a vast number of
nations, more or less numerous, and generally divided into tribes or
hordes, wandering about in a state of nudity, the principal part of
their time employed in hunting, gathering honey, and such fruits as
nature spontaneously produces. They believe in the immortality of
the soul and a Creator of all, whom they commonly denominate
Tupan, and, like many other barbarians, their adoration is divided
between the good and evil spirit, which latter they call Anhanga. No
state of government is found amongst them; each tribe has its
elective captain, who directs them only on occasions of assaults and
in forming ambuscades against an enemy. Each nation has its
peculiar idiom, but there is one exists amongst them denominated
the general lingua, which is the Tupinamba. At this day many tribes
retain the ancient custom of perforating their faces and using pieces
of wood as ornaments. In contracting marriages, the degree of
relationship is not respected. Polygamy is admitted amongst
particular individuals only, in a very few nations. Divorcements are
generally very rare amongst them. They are acquainted with no
liberal art, and have a great antipathy to civilization. Thousands of
instances have occurred, in which they have preferred fleeing from it
back again into the woods, in pursuit of their former rude habits. The
governor of one of the comarcas of Minas Geraes related to me an
instance of an Indian who, instructed in the Catholic faith, had
actually entered upon the functions of a priest, and who,
notwithstanding, was afterwards induced, from the natural bent of his
mind, to abscond and rejoin his uncivilized tribe. Their inherent
indolence is conspicuous, and they have but little consideration in life
beyond the acquirement of their daily sustenance. Frequent
instances occur of their assassinating some of the Portuguese, for
whom they lie in ambush. The Portuguese almost universally provide
themselves with fire-arms, on traversing the districts inhabited by the
Indians, at which they are greatly terrified. Such as live upon the
banks of auriferous rivers or lands, and come in contact with the
Portuguese, will give pieces of gold for trifling articles of European
manufacture, particularly knives, the metal of which they consider of
such value, that, in sharpening them, they do not use a whetstone,
but a piece of wood, in order that the blade may experience as little
diminution as possible by the operation. Few Indians are seen in any
of the seaport-towns of the Brazil. Some are employed in the bay of
Rio de Janeiro, rowing boats in the service of the government. They
appear to keep themselves quite distinct, and do not mix with any
other class of people. They are not tall, but their early occupation of
hunting has given to their limbs much strength and agility. A fine
proportion of form is their general characteristic, and they possess
great muscular powers. Their features are regular, and there is an
universal resemblance between them and the various tribes. They
are of a copper-colour, with strong, lank, black hair, which is
permitted to hang over their ears, necks, and foreheads, adding
something to the sombre aspect of their countenances, which are
sad even to an extreme. If they were capable of learning from
history, and appreciating with feelings of patriotism the force of such
an event, it might naturally appear to be a dejection originating in the
corroding idea of the conquest of their country by strangers; but this
apparent characteristic melancholy can only be the result of, and
founded upon, their former habits of life and precarious mode of
subsistence; which having once contracted, and possessing an
innate aversion to civilized intercourse, may never totally disappear.
There is nothing ferocious in their physiognomy; on the contrary,
they seem very inoffensive. I never saw them indulge in any gaiety,
rarely laughing, and speaking seldom. They are expert rowers, and
on a transient cessation from their labour, exhibit no disposition to
hold converse with each other, nor curiosity or interest in the objects
and bustle around them. The Jesuits were undoubtedly the best
class of ecclesiastics who have hitherto visited the Brazil, not only,
as has been observed, in initiating the Indians into Christianity, but in
the general pursuit and encouragement of literature. The missions,
for which they were so celebrated, will come under consideration in
treating of the provinces where they instituted them; also the
establishments of Christianized Indians, as well as the numerous
savage tribes existing at the present day.
As the colonization of the capitania of Rio de Janeiro did not
occur till after the Brazil was placed under the jurisdiction of a
governor-general, and no allusion having been made to that event in
the course of these preliminary observations, besides having long
assumed the highest rank amongst the provinces of the Brazil, it
naturally presents itself first in order, as well as the circumstances
arising out of a residence in its capital, for our consideration.
 CHAP. III.
PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO.

Its Colonization—Contests with the French and Tamoyo Indians—

Expulsion of the French—Foundation of St. Sebastian—
Boundaries—Division into Comarcas—Mountains—Principal
Rivers—Lakes—Bays—Capes—Islands—Mineralogy—Zoology
—Phytology—Cities and Towns—Boundaries, Towns, and
Productions of the Comarcas of Ilha Grande and Parahiba Nova
—Boundaries of the Comarca of Rio de Janeiro—The Metropolis
—Situation—English Burial-Ground—Streets—Royal Mode of
riding—Compulsory Homage upon the Occasion—Churches—
Convents—Gloria Hill—Female Convents—Visit to one—
Fountains—Visit to the Aqueduct—Squares—Palace—Public
Buildings—Public Garden—Library—Manufactories—Theatre—
Roads leading from the City—Palace of St. Christovāo—Troops
of Miners and others from the Interior—Caza de Don Pedro—
Royal Mill, Shacara, and Stables—Fire-Works—Beija Maō—
Fidalgos and higher Orders of Society—Splendour of Churches—
Royal Chapel—Religious Festivals and Observances—Funeral
Processions—Catacombs—The Host—State of Society—
Markets.
Joam de Solis, who has been already mentioned, entered the
bay of Rio de Janeiro, in the year 1515, on his second voyage to
South America; and about four years afterwards Fernando de
Magellan, and Ruy Falleiro, a famous Portuguese mathematician
who accompanied him, also remained a short time in it, bestowing
upon it the name of St. Luzia. Martini Alfonso de Souza, who was
engaged in an exploration of the whole coast, went into the bay on
the 1st of January, 1532, and very improperly gave it the name,
which it yet retains, of Rio de Janeiro, (River of January,) evincing,
what would not be supposed to be possible, that he considered it a
river. No attempts were made, however, to form any settlements
here till the year 1555, when M. Villegagnon, a Frenchman, who had
rescued Queen Mary from Scotland, with his comrades, took
possession of the second island, after passing the entrance into the
bay. His avowed object was that of propagating Calvinism in the new
world. On this island, which took and still retains his name, he
constructed the fort of Coligni, in honour of the excellent man and
famous admiral, Gaspar de Coligni, his patron and warm supporter
in establishing this colony, to which, in the following year, he
despatched a further succour of three ships of war and near three
hundred persons. King John III. of Portugal, receiving intelligence of
this event, ordered Duarthe da Costa, then governor-general at
Bahia, individually, to make himself acquainted with the actual state
of the Protestants; but no attempts were made to displace them till
after the death of the King, when Dona Catharina gave instructions
to Mendo de Sa, the successor of Duarthe da Costa, to expel them,
sending him two armed ships, with some caravels, which the
governor augmented by some ships of war and two caravels that
were in the port, and putting on board all the people he could
assemble, personally embarked with the squadron. He visited all the
intervening capitanias of the coast, and received on board all those
who were willing to accompany him. The French defended
themselves vigorously against the attacks of this fleet; but not being
able to remedy the destruction and havoc which they sustained from
the more powerful ships of the Portuguese, they retired by night to
the continent, uniting themselves with the Tamoyo Indians, whose
friendship they had previously conciliated. Mendo de Sa collected
the artillery which the French had left, and, with one of their ships,
which he found in the port, he returned to Bahia.
Intelligence was received afresh that the Protestants continued to
frequent the bay of Rio de Janeiro, and were successively becoming
more strongly fortified in the continental situations they had taken up.
The crown of Portugal, now discovering of how much importance it
would be effectually to take possession of and colonize this fine port,
which having no donatory or forces to impede the establishment of
whatever enemy might think proper to proceed there for that
purpose, resolved to despatch Estacio de Sa to Bahia, with two
galliots, and there to receive from his uncle, Mendo de Sa, the
governor, such an accession of force as would enable him to
extirpate the French. Estacio de Sa, having augmented the squadron
as much as circumstances would allow, arrived at Rio de Janeiro in
1565, and took up a station near the Sugar-Loaf Mountain, at the
place now called Villa Velha; but in various attacks, which he made
upon the united French and Indians, fortune was never decisively
propitious to him. This circumstance induced Mendo de Sa to
prepare, in the bay of Bahia, an armament, which consisted of three
galliots, commanded by Christovam de Barros, two ships of the
crown, which were cruizing on the coast, and six caravels. This
auxiliary force he accompanied in person to the assistance of his
nephew, visiting, as before, the intervening capitanias, and offering
to convey, gratuitously, all families who might wish to people the
future colony; and, in consequence, a great many did accompany
him. He arrived on the 18th of January, 1567, but deferred the attack
till the 20th, that day being St. Sebastian’s, under whose auspices he
meant to begin and carry on the enterprise. Two years had
previously passed in useless and indecisive contention, which, in two
days, Mendo de Sa brought to a successful termination, by
possessing himself of the forts Urussumiri and Paranapucuy, not,
however, without his followers feeling the effect of the arrows of the
Tamoyos, which often transfixed the shield to the arm that supported
it. Amongst others, Estacio de Sa received a wound from one of
them, of which he expired a few days afterwards. The French
escaped in four ships which they had in the harbour; and Mendo de
Sa did not allow much time to elapse before he removed the first
establishment to the situation now forming a ward or district of the
present capital, denominated Misericordia, and there marked out its
commencement. In honour of his patron saint, he gave it the name of
St. Sebastian, which has given way to that of Rio de Janeiro now
more generally used. The governor assigned to the celebrated
Jesuit, Nobrega, ground, in the midst of the city, for a college, which
he endowed for the support of fifty brethren. Having occupied himself
near a year and a half in arranging every thing necessary for the
continuation and security of the new city, he returned to the capital in
June, 1568. He left for governor his nephew, Salvador Corrêa de Sa,
whose administration was short, as well as that of Christovam de
Barros, who succeeded him by royal patent, and whose jurisdiction
over the affairs of the capitania terminated in 1572, when King
Sebastian divided the state into two governments; the city of St.
Sebastian becoming the capital of the southern division, which was
delivered to Dr. Antonio Salema, with power over the capitanias from
the river Belmont, southward. The same sovereign, becoming
sensible of the inconvenience resulting to the crown from this
partition, ordered that the general executive government should
revert to its anterior state; and nominated, as successor to Salema,
the said Salvador Corrêa de Sa, with patent of captain-general,
dated the 10th January, 1576, and who remained in this situation
until the year 1598. None of those who followed him governed during
so long a period, with the exception of Sandozo Gomes Freyre
d’Andrade, who discharged the duties of the appointment from the
year 1733 to 1763, and which expired only with his life in the course
of the latter year.
This province, which acquires its name from the magnificent port
of its capital, now comprehends the ci-devant capitania of St.
Thomé, half of that of St. Vincente, and a portion of Espirito Santo. It
is bounded on the north by the latter, from which it is separated by
the river Cabapuâna, and by the province of Minas Geraes, from
which it is divided by the rivers Preto and Parahiba, and in part by
the serra of Mantiqueira; on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, which
also washes its eastern limits; and on the west by the province of St.
Paulo. It is estimated to be sixty leagues in length, from east to west,
near its northern extremity; and twenty-three leagues of medium
width, reckoning from the fortress of St. Cruz, at the entrance of the
bay of Rio de Janeiro, to the river Parahibuna, and to have fifty
leagues of southern coast, from Cape Frio to Cape Trinidade, which
is near three leagues to the west of Point Joatinga. It is divided by
the Organ Mountains into two parts; Northern, or Serra-Acima,
(Mountains above,) and Southern, or Beira-Mar, (Sea-coast,) which
latter is subdivided into four, and the former into two districts or
territories, as follows:—
Ilha Grande.
Rio de Janeiro.
Beira-Mar
Cape Frio.
Goytacazes.
Parahiba-Nova.
Serra-Acima
Canto-Gallo.
 A line drawn from south to north, commencing at the fort of Lage,
at the entrance of the port of Rio, passing up the middle of the bay,
by the river Inhumirim upwards, and on to the origin of the Piabanha,
descending by it to the Parahiba, divides the province into east and
west.
Mountains.—All the districts of this province, with the exception
of Goytacazes, are picturesquely mountainous, and present an
infinite variety of novel, sublime, and wondrous scenery, of which no
verbal description can give an adequate representation. The Organ
Mountains, so called from the similarity which their pyramidical
heads, in various parts, bear to the front of an organ, are the
principal. That portion of them which assimilates more distinctly to
the object from which the whole range derives the name is an
approximation of precipitous pointed masses, separated by profound
winding and narrow valleys, through which romantic openings the
way leads from Beira-Mar to the district of Canto-Gallo, without
having to ascend any comparatively high elevations in traversing
them. This is, indeed, the region of solemn and poetic sequestration.
Its unchanged and primeval condition would appear to afford a
suitable retirement for such as have acquired a calamity-induced
distortion of the mind,—a misanthropical distaste to society and the
world.
The Macacu, otherwise Serra-Grande, (Great Mountain,) the
mountains of St. Anne, of Sambe, of Tapacora, and of Urussanga,
are situated in that extremity betwixt the districts of Rio de Janeiro
and Cape Frio; the Mount of St. Joam, a league above the
emboucheur of the river of the same name, the Serra Jarixina, about
twenty miles north-west of the capital, and that of Bocaina, in the
district of Parahiba-Nova, constitute, together with the Organ
Mountains, those of the greatest altitude in the province.
Rivers.—It cannot boast of any very large or magnificent rivers,
although it is irrigated by innumerable streams descending from the
mountains. The river Parahiba is the only considerable one,
originating in a small lake, situated upon a southern portion of the
Serra Bocaina, a continuation of the Organ range, and about five
leagues to the north of Paraty. It runs at first under the name of
Paratinga, parallel with the mountains prolonged in piles from the
south-west, in a line with the coast; enters the province of St. Paulo,
where it receives the small river Jacuhy, by the left bank, a little
above the town of St. Luiz, and somewhat below it, by the same
margin, the river Parahibuna, which rises in the serra of Ubatuba. At
this confluence it takes the name of Parahiba, approximates the sea
a little to the west of the meridian of the capital, then turns towards
the north-north-east, flowing along the base of Serra Itapeva, and by
the town of Jacarehy. After a course of twenty leagues, with little
variation, it inclines to the east and east-south-east, watering the
towns of Thaubate, Pindamonhangaba, Guaratingueta, and Lorena;
again turns towards the province in which it has its source,
approaching it within five leagues; bathes the town of Rezende;
inclines to the north-east, gathering the river Pirahy, (which comes in
a northern course from its origin in the serra of Ilha Grande,) and
many leagues lower, having taken an easterly direction, it receives
the Parahibuna which is its largest confluent, by the left margin, and
the afore-mentioned Piabanha, by the right. This part is designated
Tres Rios, (Three Rivers.) Ten leagues below, the Pomba enters it by
the northern bank, which flows from the western part of the Serra
Frecheira principally in a south-east course, through a stony bed,
rendering the navigation difficult even to canoes. A little lower it
receives the Bengálas, which brings with it various other streams.
Soon after this junction, it descends the precipitous fall of St. Fideles,
to which point barks ascend. Eight leagues lower down, the Muriahe
empties itself into it by the northern margin. Six leagues may be
computed from this confluence to the emboucheur of the river
Parahiba, and from thence to the fall of St. Fideles, which is the first
advancing up the river, seventy-two islands are numbered; and
above this fall they are still more numerous. Its waters are
precipitated by a great many falls, which run principally through a
stony bed, and are discharged into the Atlantic, on the eastern coast
of the province. This river does not bring with it to the ocean so large
a volume of water as might be imagined from its vast extent, which
may be accounted for by its running principally betwixt two
cordilleras, (the Organ Mountains and the Mantiqueira with their
branches,) the greatest interval of which does not exceed twenty
leagues, and almost all its tributary streams are poor and
inconsiderable. Eight leagues below Lorêna, where it has already
assumed the appearance of a large river, its course is contracted by
a long wall of rock, of more than sixty feet high and six hundred
yards in extent, reducing its channel to the width of about ten yards.
It abounds in a great variety of fish. The adjacent territory, on both
banks, from its source to its mouth, is considered to be well adapted
for the growth of the sugar cane, and the very small part of it which is
cultivated, is appropriated to that purpose; but the far greatest
proportion yet remains in a state of wild nature, and although
perhaps granted to different donatories, its impenetrable woods form
the native retreat of the Indian and the ounce, each still asserting the
claim of possession. The river Maccahe, which has a course of
fifteen leagues, affording ten leagues of navigation to a fall, rises in
the Organ range, and winds amongst mountains and woods, till it
encounters the St. Pedro, formed by various small streams in the
vicinity of Serra Frade. Three leagues may be computed from this
confluence to its emboucheur, which is in front of the islands of St.
Anna, thirty miles north of Cape Frio, dividing that district from
Goytacazes. The river St. Joam rises in the skirts of the rock of
Canudos, with the name of Aguas Claras, (Clear Waters,) more
considerable, and affording navigation for a greater space than the
Maccahe, runs like it amongst woods and mountains, and
disembogues about seven leagues to the south-west of it, bathing
the southern skirts of the mountain of its name. Large quantities of
timber are exported by it. The rivers Curubichas and Bannanal join it
by the left bank, the Bacaxa, which issues from the Serra St. Anna
with the appellation of Rio do Oiro, (the Gold River,) unites it on the
right by two mouths, having formed, a little higher, a large lake, into
which the Capivari, coming from the same serra, empties itself.
Below this confluence, little more than three leagues, the Ipuca
disembogues, rises near the Maccahe, and forms a considerable
island. After it the Lontra, and ultimately the Doirado, near which
there is a remarkable production, called the jiquitiba tree, its trunk
being fifty-six spans in circumference. All three are navigable, and
incorporate themselves with the river St. Joam, by its northern
margin.
 The river Guandu takes its name at the confluence of the St.
Anna with the das Lages, the courses of which are in an opposite
direction to this point; the first issues from the Organ Mountains,
near the heads of the river Piabanha, and runs south-west till it
encounters the other, which flows north-east from its origin in the
frontier serra of Ilha Grande. The Guandu passes the royal palace
(ex-Jesuitical) of St. Cruz, and discharges itself by two mouths into
the bay of Marambaya. The early possessors of this part of the
country, in order to evitate the damage which they sustained by the
inundations of this river, submerging the extensive and fine
campinhas (plains) of the southern part, opened a trench of two
miles long from it to the small river Taguahy, which runs in a parallel
direction, and by this mode discharged the excess of water which the
banks of the Guandu could not contain at the period of the floods.
The western mouth, or that of Taguahy, is little more than a league
distant from the proper one of the Guandu: barks navigate both. The
river Mambucâba, which is a fine river, even beyond the point where
the tide reaches, issues from the serra of Bocaina, and disembogues
in front of the bar of Cayrussu.
Lakes.—Lakes are numerous in this province. The principal are
situated in the districts of Cape Frio and Goytacazes; many of them
are surrounded by marshy lands, and none possess, in any point of
view, the attractions peculiar to such diffusions of inland water in
Europe. The lake of Jacaré-pagua, or Jaracapauha, is narrow and
about four leagues long, parallel with and very near to the beach. It
abounds with fish, receives some small streams, and has an outlet to
the sea at its eastern extremity. It is situated at the eastern base of
the picturesque and lofty mountain of the Gavea, about two leagues
to the west of the Sugar-Loaf. At its opposite base is the beautiful
and highly pleasing cascades of Tejuca.
The lake of Roderigo de Freytas is of a circular form, and half a
league in diameter; is about two miles distant from the bay of Bota-
fogo, and five from the capital. In its vicinity is the mother-church of
the parish of St. Joam Baptista; also the royal manufactory of
gunpowder, and a botanical garden of trees and exotic plants. The
tea plant is here cultivated, and, unquestionably, would prosper in
this climate with proper attention; but this establishment, upon the
whole, is miserably neglected. The lake of Marica, which is a league
and a half in length, from north-east to south-east, and little less in
width, communicates with that of Cururupina, nearly of equal length
from east to west, and about the same width from north to south.
They both approach very much to a triangular form. The channel
which unites them is called the river Bambuhy, and forms a small
lake in the centre. The Cururupina is the eastern one, and its
extremity is near Negra Point, which is at an equal distance betwixt
Cape Frio and the Sugar-Loaf Mountain. The rivulet of Bananal, and
that from which it takes its name, are the largest streams that enter
it. The Marica, under which name the small one is also
comprehended, receives at its southern end the Baccahi, which half
a league above its mouth traverses the lake Braba, about a mile
long. The small river Itapitiu enters its northern extremity. It is
prolonged in a parallel line; and at a short distance from the sea, to
which it opens a passage in the winter or rainy season, possesses a
great abundance of excellent fish, and, in consequence, furnishes a
branch of the dizimos (a tax of one-tenth) of the province. The lake
of Piratininga, three-quarters of a league from east to west, and
proportionably wide, is about a mile distant from the Sacco, or Gulph
of St. Joam de Carahi; it is also abundant in fish, and is separated
from the sea by a sand-bank, through which a passage is opened in
the rainy season, to prevent its inundating the adjacent country. Near
half a league to the east of Piratininga is situated the lake Itaypu, a
mile and a half long, and of proportionable width; and betwixt it and
the sea is the parish of the same name, the church of which is
dedicated to St. Sebastian. Its inhabitants are fishermen and
cultivators of mandioca and sugar.
Bays.—This province can boast of two as fine ports as any in the
world, the bays of Rio de Janeiro and of Angra dos Reys (King’s bay,
or creek.) The first is upwards of twenty leagues from Cape Frio,
and, of all others in South America, merits most properly the
denomination of a bay; its narrow entrance, embosomed in lofty
scenery of the beautiful and sublime, being about eight hundred and
fifty fathoms in width, and fourteen in depth, while the bay itself,
which is six leagues in length, almost north and south, four at its
greatest width, and thirty-two in circumference, is beautified with a
great number of islands, and has depth for the reception of the
largest fleets. It may be said to be divided into two emboucheurs, as
the island of Lage, occupied by a fort of the same name, is situated
about the centre. The entrance of the bay is commanded by the
additional fort of St. Cruz, on the east, and the batteries of St. Joze
and St. Theodozio, on the western side, near an immense naked
rock, already mentioned, which is ninety-seven fathoms in
perpendicular altitude, and is in the form of a sugar-loaf, and so
denominated. The fort of St. Cruz is situated at the base of a high
rugged mountain, called Pico, in consequence of its having a pointed
termination. From hence signals are made to the city, announcing all
vessels as they appear upon the horizon. The two principal bays that
branch from it are, Bota-fogo, behind the batteries of St. Jose and St.
Theodozio, and the larger one of Jurufuba, to the north of Fort St.
Cruz. Upon the beach of the latter is situated the parish of St. Joam
de Carahi. The first discovery of this bay and the origin of its
improper name have been already alluded to; its more appropriate
and primitive name was Nitherohy. Lery, who was there with
Villegagnon, says, that the Indians then called it Ganabara; but the
first is the most suitable, “nithero” signifying concealed, or hidden,
and “hy” water, as it is only on arriving in front of the inlet that the bay
is discovered, being previously concealed by mountains. This bay is
the receptacle of a vast number of rivers, principally inconsiderable;
but, as they are the medium of an easy conveyance to the capital of
the productions in their vicinity, it may not be unimportant to describe
those of the most consequence. Two leagues and a half, in a direct
line, or four by the road towards Campinha, is the mouth of the river
Iraja, which issues from one of the small lakes, and affords
navigation with the tide to its port of the same name. A quarter of a
league to the north of the preceding, the Miriti enters the bay,
increased by the junction of the Inhamuahi, (which issues from the
Serra Bangu,) and the Pavuna, about two leagues and a half distant
from its mouth. It traverses a country in a great measure marshy,
and is only navigable for the space of three miles, in a direct line to
the port which takes its name, where cases of sugar, and the
produce of St. Joam and Our Lady of Apezentacâo, are put on board
the bay boats. About a league to the north of it is the Sarapuhi, which
originates in the Serra Cachoeira. Its banks are serpentine, and it is
only navigable for about a league. The dwellers in the parishes of St.
Antonio and Jacutinga export their productions by it. The Iguassu, a
mile further to the north-east, has its source in the Serra Tinguá; is
navigable for four leagues; brings with it to the bay the waters of the
Iguare, which issues from one of the lakes, and affords navigation for
a mile to the port bearing its name. Also the Maraby, flowing from the
Serra Boa-Vista, and navigable to the port of Couto, three leagues
above its mouth. It also receives the Dos Ramos, navigable for a
space of eight miles, to the skirts of the Serra Mantiqueira, in which it
originates. The river Inhumirim enters the bay about half a league
further, and is navigable for three leagues: one of its confluents, the
Jaguamirim, flows from the morasses, and affords navigation for six
miles; another, the Saracuruna, descends from the serra of its name,
and is navigable only for a league; also the Figueyra, which comes
from Serra Frade. Boats go up very near to its origin, where it has
the name of Cayoába. By the Inhumirim, (the source of which is little
distant from the Piabanha,) the miners, amounting to no great
number, comparatively, descend by boats to the capital, and return in
the same way, with manufactured articles, up its channel to the port
of Estrella, where they leave the mules to recruit for the return
journey; but the major part of these people, as well as others,
proceed the whole way with the mules. The port of Estrella is a
flourishing place, (being on the main way to the mines,) with some
little commerce, and has a chapel of Our Lady, situated in the angle
of the confluence of the aforesaid Saracuruna, four miles from the
bay.
From the Inhumirim there is a channel to the river Pilar, the last
confluent of the Iguassu. Little more than two leagues to the east-
north-east of the Inhumirim, and in front of the small island of
Guayanna, the Suruhy, issuing from the Organ Mountains,
discharges itself into the bay, and, like the others, admits of the
navigation of boats up its channel for about seven miles. It receives
the Goya, which comes from one of the morasses. All the
productions of the adjacent country are excellent; and there is,
perhaps, no soil better adapted for banana groves, which are
cultivated here with great care. Half a league further is the mouth of
the Iriry, which originates in marshy ground, and is only navigable for
two miles.
About two miles to the east of the Iriry, is the emboucheur of the
Magéassú, which descends from the Organ Mountains, bathes the
town of the same name, and affords navigation for ten miles. The
Guapimirim, is about two miles from the Magé. Its course is about six
leagues, and originates in the same mountains.
About two miles from hence is the principal of two mouths by
which the Macacu enters the bay. It is one of its largest streams, and
is navigable for fifteen leagues. Alligators of a very large size inhabit
its banks, and take shelter amongst the high reeds which grow in the
water. Its source is in the Organ Mountains, near the rock called
Canudos, and it is united on its right margin by the rivers Guapiassu,
Cabucu, and Varge; on its left by the Cacerebu and the Aldeia. The
Guapiassu, which is the most considerable, comes from the same
mountains as the Macacu; and, a little before its incorporation with
that river, communicates with it by a channel called Rio dos Morros
(River of Rocks.) There is a quarry of pedra sabāo, a peculiar stone,
near its heads, which is excavated in large pieces, and sawn for the
purpose of forming the mouths of furnaces in engenhos, or sugar-
works, being considered of eternal duration. The principal confluent
of this tributary river is Piracinunga, the main branch of which
originates between the high points of the Organ Mountains. Betwixt
the rivers Macacu and Guapiassu there is a certain portion of
territory, comprising about two leagues, the most fertile in the district,
which was bequeathed, in 1718, by André da Costa, as a legacy to
some poor persons, with inalienable succession, and an annual
pension of two missas, (masses,) for each house. This colony has
now arrived at the number of twelve hundred individuals, and this
bequest would maintain ten times as many, with adequate industry.
The Guaxindiba flows from the Serra Taypu, and, describing
numerous windings and turnings, enters the bay about two miles
from the Macacu. The Emboassu, disemboguing four miles further,
has its source in the Serra St. Gonçalo, and is navigable with the tide
for a short distance.
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