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. 



July 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. The 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. Yocal and instrumental music seemed the 

 favorite occupation ; but though it is very pathetic to hear 

 the blind deplore their misfortune and express their craving 



