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, <fec., 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 31s. Pernambuco. Arrived to-day off Pernam- 

 buco, and were too happy, after a stormy night, to find 

 ourselves behind the famous reef which makes such a 

 }uiet 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 



