ACCOUNT OF BOOKS. 



1069 



forbidden, losing sight of the risk, 

 in (he delusive prospect of superior 

 profits. 



" I took uncommon pains to pro- 

 cure from the custom-house the re- 

 turns of exportation and importa- 

 tion, but was unsuccessful in my 

 attempts. Indeed, I have reason to 

 think they arc not thoroughly ac 

 quainted with the amount them- 

 selves ; and, had I obtained what 1 

 sought, little depcndance could pro- 

 bably have been placed on the ac- 

 count, from the false invoices and 

 other evasions that are continually 

 practised "* 



In addition to this view, if we add 

 " that the city of Bahia abounds with 

 artificers, among whom are lapida- 

 ries jevrellers, gold and silver-smiths, 

 excellent in their several occupa- 

 tions, — also good shoemakers, tay- 

 lors, and tanners,'' we must surely 

 dissent from Mr Lindley in his ge- 

 neral charge against the Brasiliaiis, 

 of incorrigible indolence and sloth. 



We shall conclude those extracts 

 with a general view of the habits, 

 manners and customs of the inhabi- 

 tants, and upon the whole acknow- 

 ledge that we have been much enter- 

 tained and instructed bv many of 

 our author's views, although we 

 much blame the spirit in which they 

 arc given. 



'• The country in general is cnlli. 

 vated even to a considerable distance 

 inland, and is divided into very ex- 

 tensive plantations, many having 

 two or three hundred slaves, with 

 iiorses in proportion, to work the 

 ingenios ; except in those situated 

 where water is introduced to set in 



motion the sugar mills, in the machi- 

 nery of which a considerable im- 

 provement has lately taken place, 

 through the assistance of a French 

 emigrant. 



" The rich owners of these plan- 

 tations have very handsome seats 

 (with chapels adjoining), M'here 

 they generally reside, except duriug 

 the winter rains ; when they repair 

 with their families to their houses in 

 the city, and by this intercourse 

 their manners and hahits assimilate 

 so much with those of the citizens as 

 to form the same character. 



'• It is remarkable how indiffer- 

 ently the province, and capital itself, 

 are served with meat. Mutton, 

 lamb, and veal, are nearly unknown, 

 and never seen in the market. Benf^ 

 during llet.h days, preserves the same 

 unvarying round. It is extremely 

 lean, tiabby, and tasteless ; and so 

 dirtily slaughtered, that its appear- 

 ance alone would condemn the use 

 of it, did not necessity and habit pa- 

 liate this unpleasant inconvenience- 

 This is owing solely to that want of 

 stimulus and enterprise which dis- 

 graces in so many instances the co- 

 lony, joined to a confirmed avarice, 

 that will ntver jVHy more than (he 

 usual jirice for the article in ques- 

 tion, and so encourage the fatten- 

 ing of cattle ; which, in so warm a 

 climate, requires great care to ob- 

 viate the immense perspiration, and 

 waste of solids, that is experienced 

 here through the animal creation. 



liahia is miserably provided with 

 accommodation for strangers. An 

 inn is unknown ; and those who 

 wish for a temporary resideuf-e on 



shore 



* A very considerable quantity of Rtitisli iioods were constantly snmtrgled \t\ the 

 Liibou traders, which thi-y used to ship at the mouth of the Ta<;u.s : but this prac- 

 tice hiis bfeu nearly aniiiliilatcd, in cuii>cf|iici!cc of a late ordinance, inflictiug a 

 htavy tine lo be paid by tlic capuin, juid (ransoortatioii to Angola for three years. 



