3IO A YEAR IN BRAZIL. 



that so small in relation to the great deficits that it entirely dis- 

 appears. This speaks so convincingly that he only deceives 

 himself who does not desire to pay attention to it. It cannot, 

 then, be said that this is a prosperous State ; and if we are not so 

 selfish as to pretend to rejoice over the resources of the future, 

 with the facts of the present, while continuing extraordinary ex- 

 penditure, we must rest for a time, busying ourselves to reconstruct 

 our weakened forces. The Chambers and the Government should 

 combine not to create works which depend on fresh expenditure, 

 whether permanent or temporary, and should attend to the 

 necessities of the country, with the necessary criterion of enter- 

 taining only the indispensable. 



" The spirit of the Brazilian Parliament bears some resem- 

 blance to that of France, as to the enthusiasm with which it faces 

 the resources of the country, and voting expenditure while never 

 consulting the true condition. Between France, however, super- 

 abounding in industry and commerce, and Brazil, rich in natural 

 gifts, but poor in industry, having its gaze only fixed on a hus- 

 bandry which is preparing for the sacrifice of a great change by 

 the transformation of its slave-labour, and without great hope of 

 this being solved without a crisis, the difference is extraordinary. 

 Great social and economic problems are not solved by enthusiasm ; 

 they require calmness, prudence, and reflection, which are elements 

 constituting the well-being of nations. 



"(Signed) Senator Castro Carreira. 



"Rio, April 26, 1883." 



I hardly consider it necessary to apologize for quoting at such 

 length the opinions of another, which are given with the authority 

 of one who really knows the details of the subject. It is a trite 

 saying, that statistics can be so arranged as to prove anything ; 

 but it would, I humbly submit, take a clever man to work out the 

 items I have given so as to prove that Brazil is a prosperous 

 country, or even that she is advancing financially, as the yearly 

 increasing receipts are overshadowed by a yet greater expenditure. 

 When one considers the yearly deficits, and how the Government 

 of Brazil meets them — by continual issues of paper money, by 

 bonds, by internal and foreign loans— it does appear a marvel that 



