■I 



ADJACENT LAtfDS. 



339 



deed many individuals of the lower class did not 

 neglect to come and offer their services to the 

 new-comer, whose character and disposition 

 towards them, they judged that it was necessary 

 to become acquainted with. In many instances, 

 the wives of the latter description of visitors 

 came also, and brought sweetmeats, fruit, or 

 flowers. I received them all, sitting in my ham- 

 mock ; the men sat round on chairs, but the wo- 

 men generally squatted down upon the floor, 

 though it was formed of earth. I talked to 

 them of my intentions, and of my wish to con- 

 ciliate, and I heard much of bickerings and 

 squabbles among those of their own rank, and 

 of feuds between their superiors, the same stories 

 being related to me in many different ways. 

 They were much surprised that I should wear 

 so much clothes, saying, that I ought to do as 

 they did, and be unencumbered ; and their ad- 

 vice I soon followed. I was much amused, and 

 for some days these visits took up the largest 

 portion of my time. 



The lands around me, to the north, belonged 

 to the Benedictine friars ; and to the east to an 

 old lady ; those of the latter were much ne- 

 glected, but those which were possessed by the 

 former were in high order. To the south, be- 

 yond the wood through which I passed in coming 

 to Jaguaribe, are the lands of Paulistas ; and to 

 the west and north-west are some excellent cane 



r, 



