LIFE AT MANAOS. 193 
gether ; the latter always so jolly and careless, the former 
shy, serious, almost sombre. They looked, however, very 
intelligent, and we were told that those of pure Indian 
descent were more so than the half-breeds. The school 
is supported by the province, but the fund is small, and 
the number of pupils is very limited. Our pleasure in 
this school was somewhat marred by hearing that, though 
it purports to be an orphan asylum, children who have 
parents loath to part with them are sometimes taken by 
force from the wild Indian tribes to be educated here. 
The appearance of a dark cell, barred up like the cell 
of a wild animal, which was used as a prison for refrac- 
tory scholars, rather confirmed this impression. Whenever 
I have made inquiries about these reports, I have been 
answered, that, if such cases occur, it is only where chil- 
dren are taken from an utterly savage and degraded con- 
dition, and that it is better they should be civilized by 
main force than not civilized at all. It may be doubted, 
however, whether any providence but the providence of 
God is so wise and so loving that it may safely exercise a 
compulsory charity. Speaking of the education of the 
Indians reminds me that we have been fortunate enough 
to meet a French padre here who has furnished Mr. Agassiz 
with a package bf simple elementary Portuguese books, 
which he has already sent to our literary Indian friend, 
Jose' Maia. This kind priest offers also to take the boy, 
for whom Maia was so anxious to secure an education, 
into the seminary of which he is director, and where he 
receives charity scholars. 
September 12fA.- -On Sunday we left Manaos in the steam- 
er for Tabatinga, and are again on our way up the river. 
I insert here a letter which gives a sort of resume of the 
9 M 
