74 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



on his right hand, on his left the treasurer ; by one of them the account 

 was re-examined and again entered, by the other the amount of duties 

 was received. When this part of the business was completed, the goods 

 were carried down a different flight of steps into a room below ; where a 

 piece of lead, about the size of a swan-shot, bearing the arms of Portugal, 

 was affixed, by means of a loop of thread, to every piece of bale goods, 

 to every parcel of hardware, however small, to every pair of stockings 

 and gloves, to every piece of tape and ball of cotton. Destitute of this 

 royal badge, not one of them could appear in the shops, without the risk 

 of confiscation. 



After ten reis, or about a half-penny, had been paid for every seal, 

 the goods were allowed to pass a stage further, to a shed near the front 

 door of the custom-house. Here, also, were two tables ; at one of them, 

 another account was taken of the pieces, yards, and weights, and compared 

 with the former Dispatch, — as the previous account was technically called ; 

 at the other, the Dispatch was deposited. Every article was then counted 

 out, and passed into the street ; where the goods were laid down, one 

 mingled mass of cassimeres, muslins, and lace, of butter, oil, and fish. 

 Though the air of the torrid /one, and the heated pavement, were not 

 taken into account, no one can doubt the confusion, injury, and loss, with 

 which such scenes must be attended. A part of the actual mischief 

 might, however, have been prevented, had not the whole active part of 

 the business been performed by black men, into whom it is impossible to 

 infuse discernment or carefulness, and whom, in many cases, it is equally 

 impossible to controul. 



It was not only with the tediousness and confusion of these 

 proceedings that I felt highly disgusted, with the dirt to which 

 the finest goods were exposed, and with the formal mode of acting in 

 every department. Disgusting, too, as well as ridiculous, seemed to me, 

 the appearance of the officers ; in full gala dress, with powdered heads, 

 cocked hats, large buckles, and small swords ; all much the worse for 

 wear. And to crown the whole, there was the stately port of an 

 unwashed, uncombed centinel, in a borrowed jacket, and with borrowed 



