Friday, 18.—­Two Cape pigeons were hovering over the vessel to-day; they were the first we had seen; and it is very possible, that they had recently deserted some vessel which they had followed from the Cape of Good Hope.  They are a small sea-fowl, about the size of a pigeon, from which resemblance they derive their name.  They are to be seen in great numbers off the Cape, as well as in the higher southern latitudes.

At noon, Lat. 22 deg. 34’.  S. Lon. 38 deg. 27’.  W. Cape Frio, S. 82 deg.  W. 200 miles.  Soon after noon, the discoloration of the sea indicated the proximity of land, although, by our reckoning, it should have been far distant; however, we saw it at sunset, bearing N.W. by N. about 15 miles, which we supposed to be the Cape St. Thomas, when we sounded in 33 fathoms sand, with black and white specks.  Stood to the southward for the night.

Saturday, 19.—­Soon after daylight, we saw the land.  At noon, Cape Frio, W.N.W. about 12 miles.  Lat. 23 deg. 7’.  S. Lon. 39 deg. 25’.  W. At two in the afternoon, we passed a warlike looking schooner under Brazilian colours.  At sunset.  Cape Frio, E.N.E. about eight miles.  Continued our course for the harbour of Rio de Janeiro till midnight, when we hove to for daylight.

Sunday, 20.—­At daylight, we made all sail with a light breeze, for the harbour of Rio de Janeiro.  At two in the afternoon, sounded in forty fathoms; Sugar Loaf Hill bearing N.W.  At eight in the evening, we came to an anchor abreast of the forts, at the entrance of the harbour.[51]

Monday, 21.—­At daylight, we found the most splendid scenery open to our view:  a clear atmosphere, and a sky so serene, that the distant mountains blended softly into the heavens, while the picturesque grouping of objects in the vicinity, completed a beautiful coup d’oeil, which it is difficult to imagine, and scarcely possible to be surpassed.  The wind and tide being against us until two o’clock, the sea-breeze then setting in, we got under weigh, to go into the harbour, but, at four o’clock, the Portuguese authorities obliged us to come to an anchor in the outer harbour, abreast of Fort Santa Cruz, in 22 fathoms water.

H.M.S.  Blossom, Captain Beechy, dropped anchor here this afternoon, on his return voyage from his explorating expedition in Baring Straits, when she immediately saluted the flag of Sir Robert Otway, which was flying on board H.M.S.  Ganges.  H.M.B.  Chanticleer, Captain Forster, was also lying in the harbour; an agreeable rencontre, I should imagine, for Captains Beechy and Forster, who were companions on the North Pole expedition; no small difference in climate and scenery from their present place of meeting.  Captain Peters of our galliot (the Young Nicholas) and Mr. Fearon went on shore in the evening, but I was too ill with my cold, even to venture exposing myself to the night air, or to remove until I had secured a comfortable lodging; however, on the following afternoon I landed, but without my baggage, as it was detained until special permission for its removal could be received from the Custom-house; where every packet was examined and paid for, before I was permitted to take it to my lodgings.