FESTIVAL OF ST. BENTG. 



S3' 



1 had become somewhat intimate in several 

 families of the neighbourhood ; but was the most 

 amused with my acquaintance in those of se- 

 condary rank, where there is less ceremony than 

 among persons of the first class. In the former, 

 the females often appear, when the visitor is a 

 neighbour, has concerns with the master of the 

 house, and becomes intimate with him. 



The Festival of St. Bento was to be celebrated 

 about the close of the year in the adjoining 

 plantation, belonging to the monks of whom he 

 is the patron saint. The convent is at Olinda, 

 and there the abbot resides; the fraternity is 

 rich, possessing much landed property. Upon 

 the estate adjoining to Jaguaribe, mandioc, 

 maize, rice, and other articles of food are cul- 

 tivated, with which the convent is supplied. 

 The slaves upon it are in number about one 

 hundred, of all ages ; and the last African died 

 whilst I resided in that part of the country. 

 The festival, at which I intended to be present, 

 was to our Lady of the Rosary, the patroness 

 of negroes. The expense which was to be 

 incurred was subscribed for by the slaves of the 

 estate, and the festival was entirely managed by 

 them. Three friars attended to officiate at the 

 aitar ; but the lights, the fire-works, and all 

 other necessary articles were provided for by a 

 committee of the slaves. The manager of the 

 estate was a mulatto slave, who made me a visit 

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