TO CAPE FRIO. 



65 



can kill a small bird at a considerable distance ; nay, even butterflies 

 upon flowers, as LangsdorlF relates. Azara, in his description of 

 Paraguay, says, that in that country they discharge several balls 

 at once with this kind of bow. 



Koster, in his journey in the capitania of Pernambuco, describes 

 the civilised Indians of Seara pretty correctly, .but represents them in 

 rather too unfavourable a light ; it is, however, possible that they 

 are there lower in the scale of civilisation than here. I must also 

 premise, that a part of the blame of their rudeness, and the frequently 

 bad character of these Indians, must be attributed to the improper 

 treatment and oppression, which they formerly experienced from the 

 Europeans, who, in many instances, scarcely recognised them as human 

 beings, associating w4th the names of Caboclos or Tapui/as, the idea 

 of animals, who were created merely to be ill used and tyrannised over 

 by them. 



In the main, however, it must be acknowledged, that Roster's ac- 

 count of their character is correct; for they stfll continue to shew a 

 propensity to an unrestrained, indolent life. They are fond of strong 

 liquors, and indisposed to labour, while their promises are but little to 

 be depended on, and there are very few instances of distinguished 

 characters among them. Not that they are deficient in intellectual 

 powers ; they quickly comprehend what is taught them, and are at 

 the same time cunning and crafty. One striking feature in their 

 character is an inflexible pride, and a strong prepossession in favour 

 of their woods. Many of them are still attached to their old preju- 

 dices, and the priests complain that they are bad Christians. The 

 ecclesiastical profession is open to them, but it is very seldom that 

 they embrace it. In Minas Geraes there was a priest who was an 

 Indian, and even of one of the rude tribes. This man was generally 

 esteemed, and resided several years in his living ; but, all at once, he 

 was missed ; and it was found that he had thrown off" his clerical 



K 



