Defects in the National Character. 149 



proceed any further for want of money {por falta de dinhero), 

 and expect new funds in order to continue their explorations 

 and their efforts in search of the wild tribes (em husca das 

 trihus selvaticas /) in the interior of Maranhao. 



There is, generally speaking-, in Brazil, as in all other 

 South-American States peopled by the Roman race, much 

 of good- will, and still more vanity, to follow in the wake 

 of northern European civilization in everything pertaining to 

 progress and investigation ; but there is wanting that energy, 

 that perseverance so characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon race, 

 which are essential conditions in successfully carrying out any 

 undertaking, however zealously entered upon. This probably is 

 the reason why in Brazil so many things in science and social 

 life are begun and never brought to a conclusion ; there is 

 nowhere more talk about what is to be done, than at Eio de 

 Janeiro. Thus, for example, the Museum of Natural History 

 at the Campo Santa Anna, is an elegant building, with mag- 

 nificent apartments, and large elegantly fitted cases — which, 

 however, contain as yet but few objects of natural history, 

 even those being most unsystematically arranged. 



Another educational institution — the Military Academy — 

 founded under John VI., in 1810, for the instruction of the 

 engineers and officers of the various scientific corps, has, since 

 then, undergone nine reforms, and was just about to undergo 

 another one ! In this establishment the highly objectionable 

 practice still exists, of making every pupil acquainted with the 

 chapter and verse of the subjects of examination twenty-four 

 hours before it takes place. 



