112 



WHAT MR. DARWIN SAW. 



BRAZIL. 



While in Brazil, not far from Itacaia, we passed under 

 one of the massive, bare, and steep hills of granite which are 

 so common in this country. This spot is notorious from 

 having been, for a long time, the residence of some runaway 

 slaves, who, by cultivating a little ground near the top, con- 

 trived to eke out a living. At length they were discovered, 



IB 



A POST ON THE PAMPAS. 



and a party of soldiers being sent, the whole were seized, 

 with the exception of one old woman, who, sooner than again 

 be led into slavery, dashed herself to pieces from the summit 

 of the mountain. In a Roman matron this would have been 

 called the noble love of freedom ; in a poor negress it is mere 

 brutal obstinacy. 



