NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



i9J6 



familiarity. The business is then entered upon, and dispatched at once. 

 These bows between strangers, and this slow approach, I almost love ; 

 as they give men some opportunity to measure and appreciate one 

 another, and prevent a thousand awkward blunders, and equally awkward 

 apologies. With my countrymen, in general, I participate in an abhor- 

 rence of the Brazilian embrace. 



On our first arrival, there was considerable intercourse between the 

 British and the people of the country. The strangers did all they could 

 to honour the taste and manners of the residents ; yet, by degrees, visits 

 being frequently paid and returned, our modes and conveniences crept 

 into use. The hour of dinner was about mid-day ; two or more tables, 

 joined together, formed a long and narrow one, so high as to reach to a 

 man's breast, when sitting at it ; the seats were clumsy forms or stools. 

 The table was covered with a clean, but coarse, cotton cloth, having in 

 it some open work, and fringed at the ends. I have never dined in a 

 Brazilian house, where part of the furniture of the table was not English, 

 particularly the earthenware and glass. Before such luxuries were 

 introduced, they had pewter plates, or a rough sort of Dutch pottery, 

 with some small Portuguese tumblers, narrow at the bottoms and 

 the mouths wide; calabashes and cocoas, instead of tureens and cups, 

 were common, even at their entertainments. The spoons and forks were 

 of silver, both small, and often of antique fashion. Every guest pro- 

 duced his own knife, usually broad, sharp-pointed, and mounted in 

 silver. Occasionally, individuals made a profuse display of plate and 

 jewels ; many had wealth, who were thoroughly unacquainted with the 

 modes of using it gracefully and with comfort. 



Before Dinner is brought in, every one of the party, if it consisted 

 of gentlemen alone, followed his own inclination in lounging about, or 

 reclining on stools, tables, beds, or mats on the floor. In another 

 point, too, each appeared equally free and easy ; throwing off his coat, 

 his shoes, and other garments, which the heat rendered oppressive to 

 him, and, in some cases, retaining only those parts of his dress, which 



decency required. If there were ladies present, there was a little moi-e 



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