FROM TENERIFFE TO BRAZIL. 115 



neighbourhood of Santa Cruz, into which all the 

 astronomical instruments were to be brought. It 

 was put up on a small elevation, under' palm and 

 banana-trees, from which we could see the Rurick; 

 behind us arose a high woody mountain : we could 

 likewise take long walks ti'om thence, in the shade 

 of orange and lemon-trees, which sheltered us 

 from the rays of the sun, and often gave too 

 aromatic an odour. The coimtry about the shore 

 was inhabited by the soldiers of the militia, who 

 only render their services in times of danger ; at 

 other seasons they employ themselves on tlieir rice 

 and sugar plantations. Their houses are at some 

 distance from each other, and their principal riches 

 consist in the number of their negro slaves, who, 

 like members of the family, work with their 

 masters, and enjoy with him all that his house 

 affords. The negroes in the town, on the con- 

 trary, are very unhappy ; tliey are used for the 

 most laborious works, like beasts of burthen ; and 

 are particularly employed to beat the rice out of 

 the husks, for which such heavy clubs are giveji 

 them, that it is with the greatest difficulty that 

 tliey are able to wield them : they are driven to 

 their work with a whip when their strength fails 

 them ; and, besides this, they have very miserable 

 food. By this inhuman treatment, these unfortu- 

 nate people are degraded to the lev^el of brutes : 

 they seem incapable of reflection or feeling; the 

 sight is dreadful, and inspires commiseration. The 



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