FATHER TORQUATO 191 



existed in many places on the banks of the Amazons, 

 and that they had frequent communication with each 

 other, before the time of the Portuguese. Much partial 

 migration probably occurred when the aborigines had the 

 navigation of the main Am_azoDS all to themselves. It 

 seems to me very unlikely, that a compact body of Indians 

 wandered at once from the seacoast near Pernambuco 

 to the central parts of the Amazons. However this may 

 be, no trace of the aboriginal Tupis now exists in this 

 quarter. The district is thinly populated, and the Indians 

 who now reside here, are scattered hordes of the Mun- 

 durucu, Mura, and Mauhes tribes : semi-civilized families 

 of the two latter live in or near the town. 



I found some very friendly and intelligent people 

 amongst the white and mameluco families residing at 

 Villa Nova. The vicar. Father Torquato de Souza, is 

 not quite unknown to the European public, having been 

 the guide of Prince Adalbert of Prussia when he visited 

 the Juruna Indians on the Xingu, and mentioned in the 

 published narrative of the journey. He is now a dis- 

 tinguished citizen of the new Province of the Amazons, 

 having been elected, several times in succession. President 

 of the Provincial Chamber. Together with many other 

 natives of the Amazons region, he affords a proof that 

 an equatorial climate in the new world has not necessarily 

 a deteriorating effect on the white race. He is a well- 

 built man : above the middle height, with handsome 

 features, and a fine, healthy, ruddy complexion. He is 

 a most lively and energetic fellow. When we first landed 

 at Villa Nova, in 1849, the church was being repaired, 

 and as carpenters were scarce, he had buckled to the 

 work himself, and I found him, with sleeves turned up, 

 sawing and planing as though he was well used to the 

 trade. Next to Padre Torquato, Senhor Meirelles, well 

 deserves mention ; a more sensible, intelligent and kind- 

 hearted man I never met with in Brazil. He also held 

 some appointment under Government, but his time was 

 chiefly taken up with the management of his plantations 

 situated three miles below the village. Both these worthy 

 men were fond of reading, and subscribed regularly to 

 Rio Janeiro daily newspapers. Senhor Meirelles spent a 

 deal of money on dear books, which he sent for by a 

 parcel at a time from the metropolis. 2000 miles off. 

 Some of these were Portuguese periodicals, on the plan 



