

CUNHAU. 



95 



came on, equally profuse of fowls, pastry, &c. 

 &c. and when this was removed, I had yet a 

 third to go through of at least ten different kinds 

 of sweetmeats. The supper could not have been 

 better cooked or handsomer, if it had been pre- 

 pared at Recife, and even an English epicure 

 might have found much to please his palate. I 

 was not able to retire to rest until near three 

 o'clock ; my bed was most excellent, and I 

 enjoyed it still more from not expecting to find 

 one. In the morning, the colonel would not 

 allow me to leave his house, until I had break- 

 fasted ; tea, coffee, and cakes were brought in, 

 all of which were very good. He then took me 

 to see his horses, and pressed me much to leave 

 my own, and take one of his for my journey, 

 that mine might be in good condition on my 

 return, and he also urged me to leave my pack- 

 horses, and take some of his ; but as mine were 

 still all in working order, I declined accepting 

 his offer. These circumstances are mentioned 

 to show the frankness with which strangers are 

 treated. I could not get away before ten o'clock, 

 and therefore only advanced two leagues to 

 dinner ; I stopped by the side of a rivulet under 

 some trees, upon a most beautiful spot. 



At a short distance from the estate of Cunhau, 

 is a hamlet of the same name, through which I 

 passed in my way to the colonel's plantation. 

 This hamlet, or the estate itself, was the scene 





