30 



FROM THE FIRST DISCOVERY, ETC. 



can only be the result of, and founded upon, their former habits of life and pre- . 

 carious mode of subsistence ; which having once contracted, and possessing an 

 innate aversion to civilized intercourse, may never totally disappear. There is 

 nothing ferocious in their physiognomy ; on the contrary, they seem very in- 

 offensive. I never saw them indulge in any gaiety, rarely laughing, and speak- 

 ing seldom. They are expert rowers, and on a transient cessation from their 

 labour, exhibit no disposition to hold converse with each other, nor curiosity or 

 interest in the objects and bustle around them. The Jesuits were undoubtedly 

 the best class of ecclesiastics who have hitherto visited the Brazil, not only, as 

 has been observed, in initiating the Indians into Christianity, but in the general 

 pursuit and encouragement of literature. The missions, for which they were 

 so celebrated, will come under consideration in treating of the provinces where 

 they instituted them ; also the establishments of Christianized Indians, as well 

 as the numerous savage tribes existing at the present day. 



As the colonization of the capitania of Rio de Janeiro did not occur till after 

 the Brazil was placed under the jurisdiction of a governor-general, and no allusion 

 having been made to that event in the course of these preliminary observations, 

 besides having long assumed the highest rank amongst the provinces of the 

 Brazil, it naturally presents itself first in order, as well as the circumstances 

 arising out of a residence in its capital, for our consideration. 



