66 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 
and the heaviest trunks or barrels, piled one on top of 
the other, or bales of sugar and coffee weighing hundreds 
of pounds, moving about the streets on the heads of the 
negroes. The result of this is that their limbs often 
become crippled, and it is common to see negroes in the 
prime of life who are quite crooked and maimed, and 
ca:i hardly walk without a stick to lean upon. In justice 
I must add, however, that this practice, though it shocks 
a stranger even now, is gradually disappearing. We are 
told that a few years ago there were hardly any baggage- 
wagons except these living ones, and that the habit of 
using the blacks in this way is going out of vogue. In 
this as in other matters the Emperor's opinions are those 
of an enlightened and humane man, and were his power 
equal to his will, slavery would vanish from his dominions 
at once. He is, however, too wise not to know that all 
great social changes must be gradual ; but he openly 
declares his abhorrence of the system.* 
But to return from this digression to the road of the 
Union and Industry Company. It is now completed as 
far as Juiz de Fora, affording every convenience for the 
transport of the rich harvest of coffee constantly travelling 
over it from all the fazendas in the region. As the whole 
district is very rich in coffee-plantations, the improvement 
in the means of transportation is of course very im- 
portant to the commercial interests of the country, and 
* Since this was written the Emperor, at a large pecuniary sacrifice, has 
liberated all the slaves belonging to the property of the crown, and a general 
scheme of emancipation has been announced by the Brazilian government, 
the wisdom, foresight, and benevolence of which can hardly be too highly 
praised. If this be adopted, slavery in Brazil will disappear within the 
cenfury by a gradual process, involving no violent convulsion,, and perilling 
neith( r the safety of the slave nor the welfare of his master. 
