VOYAGE UP THE COAST TO PARA. 131 
are ever led to think about it at all. I am far from sup- 
posing that the instance I have given should be taken as 
representing the state of religious instruction on planta- 
tions generally. No doubt there are good priests who 
improve and instruct their black parishioners ; but it does 
not follow because religious services are provided on a 
plantation, the ceremony of marriage observed, &c., that 
there is anything which deserves the name of religious 
instruction. It would be unjust not to add the better 
side of the question in this particular instance. The man 
was free, and I was told that the woman received her 
liberty and a piece of land from her master as her 
marriage dower. 
We arrived at Maceio this morning, and went on shore 
with Mr. Sinimbu, who leaves us here, and with whose 
family we passed a delightful day, welcomed with that 
hearty cordiality so characteristic of Brazilians in their 
own homes. Although our stay was so short, a consid- 
erable addition was made here to the collections. On 
arriving at any port the party disperses at once, the 
young men going in different directions to collect, Mr. 
Bourget hurrying to the fish-market to see what may 
be found there of interest, and Mr. Agassiz and Mr. 
Coutinho generally making a geological excursion. In 
this way, though the steamer remains but a few hours 
at each station, the time is not lost. 
July o'Lst. Pernambuco. Arrived to-day off Pern am- 
buco, and were too happy, after a stormy night, to find 
ourselves behind the famous reef which makes such a 
ijuiet harbor at this port. Our countryman, Mr. Hitch, 
met us on landing, and drove us at once out to his 
" chacara," (country place,) where it was delightful to 
