CHAPTER IV. 
POLITICAL STATE OF BRAZIL. 
18 3 8. 
During my stay at Rio, I had an opportunity of seeing several 
intelligent gentlemen, who had long been residents of the country, 
I am indebted to them for much information relative to the political 
state of this empire. Brazil, though quiet at the time of our visit, 
yet will long be destined to outbreaks and alarms, either from local 
oppression or some slight political movements. The people for the 
most part take very little interest in politics, or the general welfare 
of the state. As yet their habits make them averse to mental 
exertions, and they generally prefer their own ease, which precludes 
them from engaging in political excitement. They are not yet suffi- 
ciently advanced in civilization and education, among the mass of 
the population, to have risen from the mental degradation which the 
policy of the mother country entailed upon them. 
The Brazilians, from the character I have received of them, are 
very ceremonious and punctilious, susceptible of flattery, suspicious 
yet courteous, selfish, cunning ; assuming frankness and generosity, 
timid, unsteady in purpose, and without any large and compre- 
hensive views. What is claimed as a right in a bold and confident 
manner, is readily yielded, while often through their ignorance they 
become presumptuous. 
The people are farther advanced in morals and intelligence than 
their government, but as yet they are not sufficiently enlightened to 
know their power. They are slow to act, and appear very patient 
under oppression. Long endurance of despotism has made them so. 
Their new constitution was adopted in 1825. This secured the 
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