GENERAL IMPEESSIONS OF BRAZIL. 



497 



reiice in all the large cities of Brazil. Thej interfere with 

 the ordinary occupations, and make working days the ex- 

 ception rather than the rule. It must be remembered that 

 in Brazil there is no laborious, cultivated class of priests, 

 such as have been an honor to ecclesiastical literature in 

 the Old World ; there are no fine institutions of learning 

 connected with the Church. As a general thing, the igno- 

 rance of the clergy is universal, their immorality patent, 

 their influence very extensive and deep-rooted. There are 

 honorable exceptions, but they are not numerous enough to 

 elevate the class to which they belong. But if their private 

 life is open to blame, the Brazilian priests are distinguished 

 for their patriotism. At all times they have occupied high 

 public stations, serving in the Legislative Assembly, in the 

 Senate, and even nearer to the throne ; yet their power has 

 never been exerted in favor of Ultramontane tendencies. 

 Independent religious thought seems, however, rare in 

 Brazil. There may perhaps be scepticism ; but I think 

 this is not likely to be extensively the case, for the Bra- 

 zilians are instinctively a believing people, tending rather 

 to superstition than to doubt. Oppression in matters of 

 faith is contrary to the spirit of their institutions. Prot- 

 estant clergymen are allowed to preach freely ; but, as a 

 general thing. Protestantism does not attract the Southern 

 nations, and it may be doubted whether its advocates 

 will have a very wide-spread success. However this may 

 be, every friend to Brazil must wish to see its present 

 priesthood replaced by a more vigorous, intelligent, and 

 laborious clergy. 



In order to form a just estimate of the present condition 

 of education in Brazil, and its future prospects, we must 

 not consider it altogether from our own stand-point. The 



FP 



