CHAPTER IV. 



POLITICAL STATE OF BRAZIL. 



1838. 



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, 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 in 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 sufficiently 

 advanced in civilization and education, so far as regards the mass of 

 the population, to rise 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 comprehensive 

 views. What is claimed from them 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. 



The new constitution was adopted in 1825. This secured the 

 legislative power from further interruption, and achieved a complete 

 victory over the bayonets and tyranny of Don Pedro, by forcing him, 

 through the threats of the people and his fears, to grant a more liberal 



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