

m&% 



124. 



BRAZIL IMPROVING. 



their estates, were, and many still are, in this 

 state. They continue year after year the system 

 which was followed by their fathers, without 

 any wish to improve, and indeed without the 

 knowledge that any improvement could be made. 

 But the freedom of commercial intercourse with 

 other nations has here, as in every thing else, 

 had its effect, and the benefits which are derived 

 from this policy are increasing most rapidly. 

 One of these is to be perceived in the wish which 

 many of the planters display to obtain inform- 

 ation respecting the management of the British 

 and French plantations in the Columbian islands. 

 The persons who thus in enriching themselves 

 are likewise doing the greatest good to their 

 country, are the proprietors of sugar-mills, who 

 reside in Recife altogether, or who make frequent 

 visits to it ; these men enter into company, hear 

 what is going on in the world, read the few books 

 which are to be obtained, and soon assent to new 

 ideas. Many of the merchants now possess this 

 kind of property, which has fallen into their 

 hands, either in pavment of debts or bv nur- 

 chase ; and these men have no prejudices to 

 conquer respecting any particular plan of oper- 

 ations. Some of the improvements which are 

 proposed are of such self-evident utility, as to 

 carry with them conviction as soon as they are 

 mentioned. 



