PROVINCE OF MINAS GERAES. 



277 



me a present of the map, an exact copy of which is here introduced. The 

 signal of a standard upon the map points out those places rich in diamonds, 

 which, by a strange policy, are rigidly preserved untouched as a resource for the 

 government; and whenever they are worked, if the proceedings are conducted 

 upon the same principle as the diamond grounds of Tijuco, will certainly not be 

 a source of much revenue to the state. 



Senhor Gama related a circumstance which occurred during his ouvidorship 

 here, that affords a tolerably strong evidence of the deep subtilty practised 

 by some, at least, of the Brazilian holy fathers, for their personal benefit. A 

 female, residing at no great distance from Sahara, whose mind was darkened 

 by bigotry, and who was particularly rigid in all religious observances, no saint 

 day passing without her exhibiting the utmost devotion, mortified herself in a 

 peculiar degree on all occasions of fasting, and during Lent always refrained from 

 eating, with such resolution, that she acquired the honour of being considered a 

 saint. So strongly was her mind influenced by this delusion, that she com- 

 municated her self- working inspirations to two or three padres, who lived near. 

 They immediately inflamed her wild imagination by their countenance, and 

 gave public weight to the notion, by affirming that her soul would ascend to 

 heaven on a certain day. Contributions were already talked of for forming an 

 establishment to be dedicated to Santa Harmonica, the name of the female. 

 The priests were, of course, to have the administration of the funds. Good 

 Friday was the appointed day for the consummation of this important event. 

 The machinery hitherto worked well, and her exhausted appearance, from con- 

 tinued fasting, warranted the conclusion that her dissolution was near. It was 

 a subject of general interest, and being introduced where the ouvidor was 

 present on the evening preceding the intended conclusion of the drama, he 

 stated that he had not faith in any thing so ridiculous ; and in the event of the 

 female's death, he would summon a species of inquest to be held upon the 

 body. A friend or coadjutor of the priests was present : he left the party and 

 hastened on horseback to communicate this determination of the ouvidor to the 

 holy brothers. An effect very contrary to the expectation of her devoted 

 worshippers was thus produced. She speedily recovered from her saintly 

 indisposition, and remains, if not in mental, at least in bodily health to this day. 

 It was ascertained to have been the intention of these priests, founded on the 

 wicked purpose of deriving advantages from the contemplated establishment of 

 Santa Harmonica, to have produced, by some means, a gradual exhaustion of 

 life by the appointed time. 



