CONCLUSIVE OBSERVATIONS. 



499 



But a nobler view of this fine country is rising before us. The adoption by 

 the Brazilians of the free constitution of government recently determined upon 

 by the mother country, and sanctioned by the beneficent disposition of their 

 monarch, as well as by the highly honourable, judicious, and decided appro- 

 bation of the Prince Royal, will, it is hoped, rouze the latent energies of this 

 fine country, and produce an immediate advance towards that flourishing and 

 distinguished state we have been contemplating. Indeed it cannot be otherwise 

 if the constitution is adopted with stability and energy ; for liberty, civil and 

 religious, is richly productive of every thing that is honourable and beneficial to 

 mankind, and those have been the most truly glorious who have enjoyed it most, 

 giving, as it does to man, whfen wisely tempered, an open and happy counte- 

 nance and heart, and a firm and erect attitude, step, and character. Such 

 has been Greece in ancient and such is Britain in modern times. 



The want of similar blessings in the Brazil has greatly paralysed industry 

 in the pursuits of husbandry and commerce, engendered apathy, and an almost 

 total depression of any desire to emerge from a state of profound ignorance in 

 literature and the arts. Education, partially derived from Royal professors, 

 whose pompous denominations are a mockery upon learning, will now surely 

 soar to excellence, by means of the establishment of seminaries of learning, 

 with professors of real talent. The diffusion of knowledge, and the interest 

 which a share in a popular constitution will give the people in their government, 

 will change their listless character into one of life and energy. The ameliora- 

 tion of the laws respecting property in land, the adoption of new regulations in 

 favour of commerce, and the curtailing the mind-degrading and extortionate 

 influence of a numerous and slothful priesthood, will give the Brazihans the 

 desire and the power of giving effect to the immense physical means of felicity 

 and glory afforded by a country so extraordinarily favoured by nature. 



When so barren, so foggy, so unproductive, and so small a country as 

 Holland, has rendered itself so rich and distinguished among European states, 

 infinitely more blessed by nature, what may not be anticipated of a land so 

 immense, so luxuriant in soil, and so favourable in climate as the Brazil, 

 capable as it is of largely producing almost whatever nature has bestowed upon 

 other countries. What may not be anticipated now that such a land has ex- 

 changed slavery for freedom. 



The philosopher, the man of business, and the philanthropist, already exult 

 in the change, and are felicitated by the prospect so richly and grandly 

 opening before them. To the first, improved facilities will be afforded, in one 



3 s 2 



