NOTES ON BRAZIL^ 



not be executed by human ingenuity, although it was, perhaps, one of 

 the most common instruments in domestic use. To this, white men, 

 who were mechanics, added another folly ; every one of them thought 

 himself too much a gentleman to work in public, and that he would be 

 degraded, if seen carrying the smallest burden, even the implements of 

 his calling, along the streets. The silly pride, and formal self-importance, 

 which pervaded all ranks of Brazilian society, were, in this class of men, 

 singularly absurd and ridiculous. — An instance or two will best illustrate 

 this trait of character. 



It was necessary to open a lock, of which I had lost the key ; and 

 the skill requisite to pick it was so rare, that the Master and Waiter of 

 the Hotel, where I then lodged, were greatly perplexed with my inqui- 

 ries, at what place it was to be found. At length they advised me to 

 apply to an English carpenter, who had been settled in Rio about two 

 years, and employed several men, one of whom he requested to go with 

 me, — for then masters did not venture to command, — assuring me that 

 the man would execute what I wanted. He detained me a long time, 

 but to compensate for the delay, made his appearance at last in full 

 dress, with a cocked hat, shoe and knee buckles, and other corresponding 

 paraphernalia. At the door of the house he still loitered, wishing to 

 hire some black man to carry his hammer, chisel, and another small 

 instrument. I suggested that they were light, and proposed to carry a 

 part, or the whole, of them myself; but this would have been as great 

 a practical solecism as using his own hands. The gentleman waited 

 patiently, until a negro appeared ; then made his bargain, and proceeded 

 in due state, followed by his temporary servant. The task was soon 

 finished, by breaking the lock, instead of picking it ; when the man 

 of importance, making me a profound bow, stalked off with his 

 follower. 



Another anecdote of a similar spirit appears among my notes. I 

 give it here, though its hero did not belong exactly to the class of me- 

 chanics. — I was on the eve of leaving Rio, and waiting with great 



anxiety for the Packet, being convinced that it must bring me informa- 



o 2 



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