516 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 
take decided measures to correct the erroneous impressions 
current abroad concerning its administration, and that its 
diplomatic agents do so little to circulate truthful and 
authoritative statements of their domestic concerns. As 
far as I know, the recent World's Fair at Paris was the 
first occasion when an attempt was made to present a com- 
prehensive report of the resources of the Empire, and the 
prizes awarded to the Brazilians testify to their success. 
Imperfect as is this sketch, I trust I have been able to 
show, what I deeply feel, that there are elements of a high 
progress in Brazil, that it has institutions which are shaping 
the country to worthy ends, that it has a nationality already 
active, showing its power at the present moment in carrying 
on one of the most important wars ever undertaken in South 
America. Neither is this struggle maintained by Brazil for 
selfish ends ; in her conflict with Paraguay she may truly be 
counted among the standard-bearers of civilization. The 
facts which have come to my knowledge respecting this war 
have convinced me that it originated in honorable purposes, 
and, setting aside the selfish intrigues of individuals, inevit- 
ably connected with such movements, is carried on with dis- 
interestedness. It deserves the sympathy of the civilized 
world, for it strikes at a tyrannical organization, half cleri- 
cal, half military, which, calling itself a republic, disgraces 
the name it assumes. 
Will my Brazilian friends who read this summary say 
that I have given but grudging praise to their public insti- 
tutions, accompanied by an unkind criticism of their social 
condition ? I hope not. I should do myself great wrong 
did I give the impression that I part from Brazil with any 
feeling but that of warm sympathy, a deep-rooted belief in 
