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■ -/p- ■ ,._, 



PAULISTAS. 



which were lying at full length upon the floor. 

 These ebon cupids were plainly great favourites, 

 and seemed to employ the greater part of the 

 thoughts of the good ladies, the youngest of 

 whom was on the wrong side of fifty ; and 

 even the priest laughed at their gambols. 

 These excellent women and the good priest 

 possess a considerable number of slaves, who 

 are their exclusive property. It is their inten- 

 tion eventually to emancipate all of them, and 

 that they may be prepared for the change,, se- 

 veral of the men have been brought up as 

 mechanics of different descriptions ; and the 

 women have been taught needle-work, em- 

 broidery, and all branches of culinary know- 

 ledge. Thus, by the death of four individuals, 

 who are now approaching to old age, will be set 

 free about sixty persons, men, women, and 

 children. As these people have been made 

 acquainted with the intentions of their owners 

 respecting them, it is not surprising that the 

 behaviour of many of them should be overbear- 

 ing. To some, the deeds of manumission have 

 been already passed conditionally, obliging 

 them to serve as slaves until the death of the 

 individual to whom they are subject. These 

 papers cannot be revoked, and yet no ingratitude 

 was feared ; but among so considerable a num- 

 ber of persons, some instances of it cannot, I 

 fear, fail to be experienced. The owners said 



