This letter was written by Edward Biddle Latch (1833-1911), the son of Gardiner Latch (1792-1835) and Henrietta Wakeling (1801-1882) of Mlower Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Edward served in the US Navy from September 1858 to November 1878. He rose in rank to chief engineer.
Edward wrote the letter to his younger sister Caroline (“Carrie”) Biddle Latch (1835-1931). He also mentions an older sister, Isabella (“Bell”) A. Latch (1826-1871).
TRANSCRIPTION
U. S. Steamer Atlanta
At Sea
January 17, 1859
Dear Sister Carrie,
I will merely head your letter today while I have out the pen ink and paper and finish it by degrees as I find something to say.
Wednesday the 19th. Made the harbor of Rio de Janiero. The scenery here is the most magnificent I ever saw, as a handsome port. The palm of beauty lies between this and that of Naples. Here we are lying at anchor and almost surrounded by mountains and islands, all covered up with luxuriant vegetation so that even the rocks are blooming with verdure, which relieves their wildness to that degree which enhances the grandeur of the scene. Among the carious mounts there is one called Lord Wood’s Nose from its presenting the features of a man lying down and from its resemblance to Lord Wood—an Englishman. It was named after him. Here is a sketch of it as it appeared about twenty-two miles at sea [sketch]. Another mount—a solid mass of rock—rises at the entrance of the harbor and is called the sugar loaf. This is one view of it [sketch]. It is of considerable height. The town presents a very handsome appearance—many of the buildings being very fine, among which latter I see the Insane Asylum—a long buildings fronting the water’s edge and surmounted with a dome. It is of the style of the Blockley Insane Asylum.
Latch’s sketch of a Catholic Cathedral in Rio de Janiero (1859)
The churches are very fine but the style is pretty much the same with all that I can see from the ship. They each have two steeples as per sketch and are of the Catholic persuasion as I informed you in Bell’s letter. There is a great deal of shipping done here and you may see men-o-war of all nations lying off the city while the merchantmen are hauled up to the wharves for convenience of receiving and discharging their cargoes.
It is raining quite smart now and no matter how grand a scene may look, a smart shower gives it the horrors for the time being. There is some little thunder with it and present appearances indicate that it will continue for some time.
I sent my washing off this afternoon consisting of four dozen and four pieces for which I will have to pay nearly five dollars. The washerwomen understand how to charge. The city looks quite pretty this evening owing to the lights being in full blast. The city being built on a very mountainous district, makes them appear to full advantage. In the foreground there are several rows of closely studded lights while the background is illuminated promiscuously and relieves the monotony of appearance which would otherwise exist.
Thursday 20th. The first thing this morning I did was to go up to the United States store house and see about the coal for the ship. It is situated on an island and from it you have a fine view of the surrounding scenery. There is a very large garden attached to the place in which are orange trees loaded with their fruit—also fig trees, cocoa nut and a number of others whose name I do not know. There are also handsome flowers of various colors. The foliage is of the deepest green. I took breakfast with the gentleman in charge of the stores after which we went on coaling the lighter—a boat something like those on the canals. They are filled by darkeys who carry the coal in baskets which they balance on their heads. The lighters when full are towed to the ship and the coal hoisted in.
I saw a large monastery situated by itself among the mountains. They are plenty in this country. There is a chime of church bells now ringing which reminds me of Philadelphia somewhat as there are several chimes there.
The weather is very warm today although there is a little breeze. I expect that it will get cooler as we get farther south. We are in about 22 south latitude. It is rather hard on paper collars asa the perspiration causes them to dissolve.
I have not been on the shore yet so I cannot give you a description in this letter of how the city looks when you are in it but the streets are very narrow. I understand a great fault with the cities in South America and more especially as the climate is warm all the year round. This is the summer season for this part of the continent. By the time we get to Montevideo it will be pretty well towards the fall of the year down there. They have very nice pears there and other fruits which one gets in the temperate zone.
I saw some queer little animals along the shore this morning. They resembled Lilliputian lobsters. They eat with two claws which they conveyed to their mouths alternately presenting a picture of voracity truly astonishing. Just imagine somebody eating sugar plums first with one hand and then with the other and keeping it up for some time. Then you can form some idea how these creatures looked feeding.
But to change the subject and talk about something else. Is Miss Frailey married to the Doctor? or does sentimentalism still exist between them? How are the Misses Gamber? Are there any singing schools this winter in Blockley or adjacent places? Give my respects to all the ladies generally and ask Ann and Maggie Hansell if they recollect the day we went after blackberries. Be particular and call her Ann as she appreciates the name so much and also ask her is she remembers seeing a building being pointed out to her notice on that day. I remember it yet even though my memory is a little short. This sheet is nearly full and I have scarcely room left to sign myself in magnificence.
Your good-natured but very poor to do in the world brother, — Edward B. Latch, U.S. N.
Spared & Shared 12 
Edward Biddle Latch was my 3 times great uncle and I am blessed to have many of his belongings
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