HB 



60 FERNANDO DE N0R0NHA. 



of Brazilians, and people of colour. Besides 

 these regiments, the militia of the town some- 

 times do duty without pay, and these make but 

 a sorry show. The militia regiments, com- 

 manded by mulatto and black officers, and 

 formed entirely of men of these casts, are very- 

 superior in appearance ; but these I shall have 

 again an opportunity of mentioning. 



There is one political arrangement of this 

 province which, above all others, cries aloud for 

 alteration ; it is a glaring, self-evident evil, it is 

 a disgrace upon the government which suffers its 

 existence. I speak of the small island of Fer- 

 nando de Noronha. To this spot are transport- 

 ed, for a number of years or for life, a great 

 number of male criminals. No females are per- 

 mitted to visit the island. The garrison, con- 

 sisting of about 120 men, is relieved yearly. It 

 is a very difficult matter to obtain a priest to 

 serve for a twelvemonth, as chaplain in the 

 island. When the bishop is applied to by the 

 governor, for a person of this calling, he sends 

 some of his ecclesiastical officers in search of 

 one ; the persons of the profession, who are 

 liable to be sent, conceal themselves, and the 

 matter usually concludes by a young priest being 



of artillery, has been also much improved by the attention of 

 its colonel, and the entrance into it of several well-educated 

 Brazilian officers of the first families. 



