NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



81 



Their number may probably be fifteen hundred; but it is difficult to 

 form an exact estimate, because they are not compelled to muster with 

 punctuality. When they make their appearance, it is with very shabby 

 appointments, and with hardly any thing like discipline. Most of the 

 men, when not in line, are too lazy to carry their muskets, use um- 

 brellas, and have slaves following them for the purpose. The colours, 

 while rolled up, are borne by the same ignoble hands ; as are even the 

 drums, when their beat is not wanted. The heat of the climate furnishes 

 an excuse, of which the indolence of all ranks is not slow to take 

 advantage. 



Besides these, three other regiments of militia are raised in the 

 province. That of the districts of Rio and Cape Frio may be considered 

 as tolerably effective ; that of Ilha Grande, too, attracts some notice ; 

 but the districts of St. Joa Marcos and Goytacazes either fail to raise 

 their quota, or are too distant to be much noticed at the seat of govern- 

 ment. These Troops consist chiefly, if not entirely, of Cavalry, and are 

 composed of persons selected from the Farms or Plantations. Every 

 white man is obliged to become a member of the Corps of his district, 

 and to mulattoes, even of a deep shade, is graciously conceded the 

 honour of joining it. They are armed with swords, some of them with 

 pistols also; but their discipline is slight, and their character low. If 

 wanted to disperse a riotous assemblage of slaves, they might possibly be 

 of use ; in a serious insurrection they would be of little service, of less if 

 called to withstand a disciplined invader. Indeed they would be inca- 

 pable of acting in concert, if it be true, as I have heard, that they muster 

 only in troops. 



It is usual to avoid the militia duty by the most paltry subterfuges ; 

 many persons obtain an exemption by being placed upon the list of 

 Volunteers, to serve in the Forts on occasions of danger. This, it is 

 pretended, is the post of honour, where the first attacks of an enemy 

 are to be withstood ; but it is really the most secure retreat which can be 

 found. Hence there are more officers than men belonging to some of the 

 forts, for these pretexts are the most common and effectual among 



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