NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



than to shew the audience the headless body of the lady, seated upright 

 in an arm-chair, with the blood bubbling from her neck, and flowing 

 down her raiment. 



As Uttle needs to be said about the Performers, who, in general; 

 were scarcely less contemptible and shocking than the pieces. The 

 actresses are, one of them formal and ranting, another insufferably pert. 

 Of the male performers, one alone displays any thing like the true spirit 

 of comedy ; while another stupid fellow seems as if he had no business 

 on the stage, but to exhibit his teeth and his buckles ; a third acts the 

 villain well, especially in the garb of a priest. I was surprised at the 

 boldness, with which rascally Ecclesiastics are brought forward, until it 

 was observed to me, that all admitted the existence of such characters, 

 while no individual applied the lesson to himself 



Certain moralists have discovered an intimate connexion between 

 theatrical exhibitions and the only species of public buildings and institu- 

 tions in Rio, which remains to be noticed at present. Without taking 

 any farther advantage of their theory, I beg permission to introduce the 

 Calabou9a, or common Whipping-Post of the city, where many earnest 

 attempts are made to correct moral disorders. It is now placed within 

 the old fort of St. lago, but was formerly near the palace, in the public 

 street. The name, which is a corrupted words, signifying in Brazil 

 " hold your tongue," is inscribed on the top of the post ; in seeming 

 mockery of the sufferings inflicted there, as well as of the ignorance of 

 the sufferer, who very seldom can read. The punishments of poor rogues 

 on this spot, are sometimes dreadfully severe ; and such, as to be unfit 

 for minute description, inflicted also on slaves alone. 



The common Jail is in the neighbourhood of the Bishop's palace, a 

 strong and heavy building, around which all is filthiness, all within is 

 sickening. The first room is barricaded much like our dens for wild 

 beasts, and the prisoners roam about it in much the same style, and with 

 no better accommodations. There is, however, here, what our places of 

 confinement sometimes want, a separation of minor offenders from those, 

 who are charged with greater crimes. While the latter are in the den 



