388 



PROVINCE OF PERNAMBUCO. 



one of the scenes of contest between the Dutch and Portuguese. The village 

 of P090 de Panela is upon the left bank of the river, and is enlivened with 

 houses of much more taste and neatness than a stranger would expect to see, 

 with the impressions made upon his mind on landing at Recife. 



It must be observed, that although the environs of Pernambuco have a ferti- 

 lized appearance, in consequence of being well wooded, the soil is in a misera- 

 ble state of cultivation, and not rendered so productive, by two-thirds, as it 

 might be, being very generally uncleared of the brushwood, and a great 

 portion remaining in its primeval condition. Proceeding from Ponta de Cho, 

 by the Cruz das Almas road, which leads to Ollinda, a great proportion of the 

 surrounding country is in a wild state ; here and there are seen small patches 

 of mandioca, groves of cocoa-nut, and other fruit trees, but the general aspect 

 demonstrates the want of industry, for it would be expected that every yard of 

 ground so near to a commercial city, with nearly one hundred vessels of different 

 classes usually lying in its port, would be in progress at least of agricultural 

 improvement. It is also remarkable, that between Recife and Ollinda, which 

 latter city was formerly the seat of government and the centre of commerce, 

 there is not a good road the whole way, parts of it for a considerable distance 

 assuming the appearance of a mere track. The present governor has ordered 

 a road to be commenced by a nearer route, and in many places the germ 

 of improvement in this essential point is observable, new roads being partly 

 made and staked out. Intelligence and civilization is only diffused through a 

 country by facility of communication, and to General Rego, the Pernambuca- 

 nans are indebted for promoting this blessing; the roads in the immediate 

 vicinity of the town have been widened and otherwise improved by his orders ; 

 and it is highly to be wished that such a s})irit, tending so much to the real 

 benefit of the province, may be encouraged. The revolution here, in 1817, is 

 said to have materially retarded improvement, as that measure was brought 

 about, not from any genuine sentiments of liberty, the four or five persons at the 

 head of it being only desirous of procuring their individual aggrandizement ; and 

 it is said that such jealousy at last existed amongst them, that they attended 

 the council secretly armed. They were men of no talent, and the principal 

 actor, Senhor Martyens, was a decayed Portuguese merchant, from London. 

 They, as well as many others, paid the forfeit of their lives for prematurely 

 attempting a change which they did not understand, but which the lapse of a 

 few years has, happily for the advancement of this country, brought about. 



The new constitution of Portugal, already adopted at Para and Bahia, was 



