44 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



liberty, so that in 1812 sheep had become more numerous, having been 

 brought, one flock at least, from so great a distance as Rio Grande. 

 Many of the British, wishing to have something more like the variety 

 which appears on their tables at home, paid attention to the purchase, 

 the rearing, and the slaughter of sheep ; yet this was almost entirely for 

 their own private use, and that of their countrymen. Mutton was, and 

 still is, in small request among the people of Brazil, some of whom 

 alledge, perhaps jestingly, that it is not proper food for Christians, because 

 it was the Lamb of God which took away the sins of the world. 

 Whether this prejudice operates still more strongly with respect to the 

 young progeny of sheep, I know not ; but lamb is never eaten by the 

 natives of that country. They have, also, little or nothing like the veal 

 of England ; though an animal, of a year old, called a calf, is frequently 

 slaughtered for the exclusive use of the inhabitants of the Palace, and its 

 flesh is among them denominated veal. 



On pork the people feed with avidity, as if delighting in every 

 opportunity of showing, that they are neither Jews nor Mahometans. 

 I doubt, however, whether this species of food, as it is produced in 

 Brazil, be a desirable, or even a wholesome diet. The swine, kept in 

 the country, approach near to the wild state, and greedily devour the 

 numerous reptiles, with which every district abounds. Whether this 

 be, or be not the cause, it is certain that their flesh is often brought to 

 sale in a very diseased state. 



The reasons just mentioned against the use of mutton, and in 

 favour of pork, strange as they are, have more weight among the 

 devout than could be conceived. It is not to be supposed, however, 

 that the Brazilians, in general, were so weak as to produce or act upon 

 them. Still, having been inculcated by the priesthood, and supported 

 by interested individuals, they have acquired an habitual, though unper- 

 ceived influence. A singular proof of this is evinced in their mode of 

 eating fruit ; no true catholic, in this country, ever cuts a banana trans- 

 versely, because the centre then displays the figure of a cross ; yet they 

 have no objection to do so with the fruit proceeding from the passion- 



