516 



A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



take decided measures to correct the erroneous impressions 

 current abroad concerning its administration, and that its 

 diplomatic agents do so little to circulate truthful and 

 authoritative statements of their domestic concerns. As 

 far as I know, the recent World's Fair at Paris was the 

 first occasion when an attempt was made to present a com- 

 prehensive report of the resources of the Empire, and the 

 prizes awarded to the Brazilians testify to their success. 



Imperfect as is this sketch, I trust I have been able to 

 show, what I deeply feel, that there are elements of a high 

 progress in Brazil, that it has institutions which are shaping 

 the country to wortliy ends, that it has a nationality already 

 active, showing its power at the present moment in carrying 

 on one of the most important wars ever undertaken in South 

 America. Neither is this struggle maintained by Brazil for 

 selfish ends ; in her conflict with Paraguay she may truly be 

 counted among the standard-bearers of civilization. The 

 facts which have come to my knowledge respecting this war 

 have convinced me that it originated in honorable purposes, 

 and, setting aside the selfish intrigues of individuals, inevit- 

 ably connected with such movements, is carried on with dis- 

 interestedness. It deserves the sympathy of the civilized 

 world, for it strikes at a tyrannical organization, half cleri- 

 cal, half military, which, calling itself a republic, disgraces 

 the name it assumes. 



Will my Brazilian friends who read this summary say 

 that I have given but grudging praise to their public insti- 

 tutions, accompanied by an unkind criticism of their social 

 condition ? I hope not. I should do myself great wrong 

 did I give the impression that I part from Brazil with any 

 feeling but that of warm sympathy, a deep-rooted belief in 



