482 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 
with vulgarity and vice, though often unnoticed by the 
parents. In the capital, some of these evils are fast disap- 
pearing ; indeed, those who remember Rio de Janeiro forty 
years ago have witnessed, during that short period, a re- 
markable change for the better in the state of society. Nor 
should it be forgotten that the highest authority in the 
community is exerted in the cause of a liberal culture for 
women. It is well known that the education of the Impe- 
rial princesses has been not only superintended, but in a 
great measure personally conducted, by their father. 
June 8th. I was prevented yesterday from going to the 
Blind Asylum with Mr. Agassiz, but I transcribe his notes 
upon this, as well as upon the Marine Arsenal, which he 
also visited without me. 
" The building is old and in a ruinous condition. I was 
not allowed to go over it, everything being. brought to the 
reception-room for my inspection, though I told the director 
that I did not care about the external arrangements, but 
simply wished to know by what means the privations of the 
blind were alleviated in his establishment. The same pro- 
cesses of routine prevail here as in other schools and col- 
leges I have seen in Rio. This, however, is not peculiar to 
Portuguese or Brazilian habits of instruction. Tbe old 
habit of overrating memory, and neglecting the more active 
and productive faculties of the mind, still prevails more or 
less in education everywhere. I learned little of the gen- 
eral system pursued. The teachers were more anxious to 
show off the ability of special pupils in reading, writing 
from dictation, and music, than to explain their methods 
of instruction. Vocal and instrumental music seemed the 
favorite occupation ; but though it is very pathetic to hear 
the blind deplore their misfortune and express their craving 
