42 SCENERY OF BRAZIL. 
cause is his highest enjoyment. How this en- 
thusiasm can be united to the great love of 
money of which he is accused, it is not easy to 
imagine. 
My short residence in Brazil passed rapidly 
and agreeably in my necessary occupations, and 
the enjoyment of the charming environs of my 
country-house. The effect which so total a 
change of climate and scenery produces on 
European spirits, even when not experienced 
for the first time, is really astonishing. The 
eye can fix on no one object which is not 
directly the reverse of any thing to which it 
has been accustomed. The birds, insects, trees, 
flowers, all wear a foreign aspect, even to the 
blades of grass. By its strange forms and colour- 
ings, but especially by its overflowing abun- 
dance, all nature here demands attention. 
Throughout the day, myriads of the most beau- 
tiful butterflies, beetles, and humming-birds, 
display their various colours in the sun, which 
has scarcely set, before innumerable swarms of 
fire-flies illuminate the scene. I had seldom 
time for excursions; therefore, as it usually 
happens to sailors, I can say little of the interior. 
