80 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



The troops of the line consist of three regiments of infantry, one of 

 cavalry, and one of artillery. They are so far from being complete, that 

 the whole force does not amount, I believe, to two thousand effective 

 men. Their general appearance is such as might be expected from their 

 miserable appointments, their more miserable discipline, and from the 

 weight with which duty falls on so small a number of men, whose poor 

 pay affords them only coarse and insufficient food. To improve their 

 pittances, many obtain leave to do some work, and share their earnings 

 with the officers, who grant them a temporary liberty. Hence it is, I 

 suppose, that we find between the common soldier and his commander a 

 familiarity destructive of all military discipline. Each regiment is 

 obliged to muster once a month, on a certain day, and then every 

 effective man must be present to receive his pay ; thus it appears not 

 essentially necessary that he should be on duty more than twelve days in 

 the year, and though his attendance be somewhat more frequent than 

 this, he becomes a much better boatman, or fisherman, or shoemaker, 

 than soldier. 



When actually employed, the men live in barracks, in different 

 parts of the city. Those of the first regiment are situated in a narrow 

 alley, but are well constructed, and have an enclosed court. Those of 

 the second are in the Rua dos Quarteis, one side of which is entirely 

 occupied by their apartments, while the street itself is their only parade- 

 ground. The third regiment is placed at the opposite, that is, the 

 Eastern side of the town ; the barracks there are somewhat better, and 

 communicate with a large open space, near the beach. Not far from 

 them is the building occupied by the artillery, a poor little place, but 

 amply sufficient for the corps. The cavalry are lodged near the old 

 Jesuits' Church, in buildings which manifest little regard to the accom- 

 modation of men or horses. Few as are the men of this regiment, the 

 horses are still more deficient, and none of them are shod, except a small 

 number belonging to officers. 



The Militia consists of two regiments, raised in the city from the 

 shopkeepers, their apprentices and servants, and officered by merchants* 



