284 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



The day was most propitious ; a rain during the night 

 had cooled the air, and a slightly overcast sky, combined 

 with the freshness of the atmosphere, gave just the con- 

 ditions most desirable for any such excursion in this 

 climate. When we reached the beach from which we 

 were to leave, people were beginning to assemble, and a 

 number of canoes were already on their way, looking 

 very gay with their white awnings above and the bright 

 dresses inside. Twenty minutes' row brought us to our 

 destination. The scene was very pretty ; the path from 

 the landing to the main house was lined with flags and 



character. Unfortunately, I cannot always do full justice to the kindness 

 shown Mr. Agassiz throughout our journey, or to the general appreciation 

 of his scientific objects, without introducing testimonials into this narrative 

 which it would perhaps be more becoming in me to suppress. But I do not 

 know how otherwise to acknowledge our obligations, and I trust it will be 

 attributed, by candid readers, to the true motive, to gratitude and not to 

 egotism. 



" The scientific labors undertaken at this time by the learned and illustrious 

 Professor Agassiz in this Province, merit from the Amazonenses the most 

 sincere gratitude and acknowledgment, and elicit on our part a manifestation 

 by which we seek to show due appreciation of his high intellectual merit. 

 I wish that for this object I could dispose of more abundant resources, or 

 that the Province had in readiness better means of showing the veneration 

 and cordial esteem we all bear to him, the respect and admiration we feel 

 for his scientific explorations. But the uncertainty of his stay among us 

 obliges me to offer at once some proof, however insignificant, of our profound 

 esteem for this most deserving American. 



" To this end, the accomplishment of which I cannot longer defer, I invite all 

 to join me in offering to Professor Agassiz and to his wife, in the name of the 

 Province of the Amazonas, a modest rural breakfast (almoco campestre) in the 

 Casa dos Educandos, on Sunday, the 18th of this month, at 11 o'clock in the 

 morning. I hereby invite you and your family to be present, in order that this 

 festival, great in the earnestness of our intentions, however small as compared 

 with the importance of those to whom it is offered, should be gay and brilliant. 



" ANTONIO EPAMINONDAS DE MELLO. 



"Palace of the Government at Manaos, 13 November, 1865." 



