THE VICAR. 



1L 



other posts to retire into the fort *, which was 

 not surrendered to the Portuguese until the 

 expulsion of the Dutch in 1654. * 



I happened to arrive at Conception upon the 

 day of the festival, the 8th of December, how- 

 ever as I had many matters to arrange, I did 

 not see the ceremony in the church, but was 

 invited to dine with the vicar. I went at two 

 o'clock, and found a large party assembled, to 

 which I was happy in being introduced, as it 

 consisted of several priests who are the men of 

 most information in the country, and of some 

 of the first laymen of the island. The dinner 

 was excellent and elegant, and the behaviour 

 of the persons present was gentlemanly. I was 

 placed at the head of the table, as being a 

 stranger ; and a friend of the vicar took the 

 opposite end of it, whilst he himself sat on one 

 side of me. I never met a pleasanter dinner- 

 party; there was much rational conversation and 

 much mirth, but no noise and confusion. The 

 company continued together until a late hour, 

 and indeed the major part of the priests were 

 staying in the house. 



The parish of Itamaraca has now for some 

 years enjoyed the blessings which proceeded 

 from the appointment of the present vicar, 

 Pedro de Souza Tenorio. His merit was dis- 



* History of Brazil, vol. ii. p. 177. 241. 



