by the sea-side; towards the south and south-east the city is commanded by several hills, the promontories of the Corcovado, a woody mountain. The more ancient, north-east part of the city is traversed by eight straight, pretty narrow, and parallel streets, and divided into squares by many others crossing them at right angles. The Campo de S. Anna, a large square, to the west of the old city, separates it from the new town. The latter, which has, for the most part, arisen since the arrival of the court, is connected by the bridge of S. Diogo over the arm of the sea called Sacco d’Alferes, with the south-western quarter, or Bairro de Mato-porcos, and, by the extensive suburb of Catumbi, with the royal palace of S. Cristovao, situated to the north-west. Mato-porcos lies immediately against the lower eminences of the Corcovado, which rise south-west of the city, where this row of hills terminates at the sea. The church of Nossa Senhora da Gloria forms a distinguished object on its summit, commanding the southern part of the city. From this place, farther towards the south, detached rows of houses occupy the two semicircular bays of Catête, and Bota Fogo, and single houses lie scattered in the picturesque side-valleys, which branch out from the Corcovado, and among which the Valley of Laranjeiras is the most pleasant. The city, in its greatest extent, already measures above half a mile. The houses, which are low and narrow in proportion to their depth, are for the most built of
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