FRANCISCAN FRIAR. 



2S3 



situation are thatched, and some of them are 

 out of repair. As the hill which rises from the 

 water-side is not high, and the land beyond ra- 

 ther declines in a contrary direction, the meaner 

 part of the town is not seen at the first view. 

 Alcantara is however a thriving place, and its 

 importance increases rapidly as the lands in the 

 neighbourhood are in request for cotton plant- 

 ations. A handsome stone quay was building 

 upon the inside of a neck of land, round which 

 the harbour extends for small craft. The place 

 contains a town-hall and prison, and several 

 churches. 



The evening we passed with our new friend 

 and his partner, both of whom wei'e pleasant 

 men. The latter took us to a neighbouring 

 church, to hear a famous preacher, and to see 

 all the fashion and beauty of the place. It 

 was much crowded, and therefore we saw 

 little or nothing of the congregation ; but the 

 preacher, a large handsome Franciscan friar, 

 with a fine toned and clear voice, delivered a 

 very florid discourse, with much energy and ani- 

 mation. This man and one other were the only 

 persons of those I heard preach in Brazil, who 

 deviated from the common praises usually given 



to the Virgin and to the Saints. 



It was a good 



practical sermon, inculcating moral duties ; but 

 by way of conformity to established custom, he 

 now and then mentioned the worthy in whose 



