Shortly after our return commenced the festival of Nazaré.

This is the grand holiday of Pará, when business is suspended and citizens have no care but pleasure. Our Lady of Nazareth seems to have received proper honours of old in the mother country, and the faithful colonists still acknowledged her maternal kindness by enshrining her as their most popular tutelary. Did trouble afflict, or sorrow bow down; did danger menace, or were dangers escaped, our blessed Lady was ever considered the friend and benefactress. Many are the traditions of her miraculous interpositions and wonderful cures, all tending to prove how well she deserves the exalted place she holds in the hearts of all good citizens.

Befitting so beneficent a saint is the beautiful spot devoted to her worship; a neat chapel within an ever-verdant forestembowered meadow. Quite lately a number of graceful cottages have been erected about the area, mostly by wealthy persons in the city, who prefer to live here during the festa. At this time numerous temporary constructions also line the adjacent road on either side, or find room about the square. The time usually chosen by long custom is the last of September, or early in October, when the increasing moon throws her splendours over the scene, and the dry season has fairly ushered in the unclouded brilliant nights; when the air is redolent of perfume, and delicious coolness invites from the closeness of the city.