130 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



It is a common observation, that uncleanly habits are the usual 

 attendants of ignorance ; much has already been said to show that 

 Brazil is far from offering an exception to this rule. Few words, indeed, 

 have been used more frequently than dirt, filth, and other synonimous 

 expressions, but so it must be if the real and universal state of the 

 country and its inhabitants is to be exhibited. What remains to be said 

 on the subject shall be touched lightly, if not passed with such haste as 

 might be acceptable to an overstrained delicacy. 



A few of the Brazilians learn to swim, some because their employ- 

 ments call them to be much on the water, some because their health 

 requires the bath ; but frequent ablutions are by no means in general 

 request among the men. The feet are the most cleanly parts of their per- 

 sons, for it is necessary to wash them occasionally, in order to keep them 

 from the injury which the neglected bite of different insects frequently pro- 

 duces. ^ The faces, hands, arms, bosoms, and legs, all of which are, in both 

 sexes, much exposed, are rarely blessed with any cleansing ; and hence, 

 more than from a burning sun, acquire a considerable degree of brown- 

 hess. The skin of young children is commonly fair, but being permitted 

 to roll about continually in the dirt, and being seldom or carelessly 

 washed, their hue soon becomes as dingy as that of their parents. No 

 such instrument as a small tooth-comb, nor any substitute for it but 

 the fingers, is known in this part of the American continent. Men 

 and women, children, and servants, indulge publicly in one of the 

 most disgusting of Portuguese customs ; one reclines with his or her 

 head in the lap of another, for a purpose unnameable ; even monkeys 

 are taught to fill the same ofllice, and do it with dexterity and pleasure. 

 All grease their hair, and pride themselves in its consequent glossiness ; 

 yet never seeking to preserve its lustre or smoothness by a night cap. 

 The men seldom shave, unless business calls them to appear in public. 

 Among people thus careless about decent personal appearances, it were 

 iinreasonable to look for much nicety in dress. A tawdry taste may be 

 seen in the contrivance and wear of their clothes, but they continually 

 show how thoroughly consistent this is with dirt. 



