156 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



way before the energies of commerce, and the general spirit of 

 improvement. 



At Nhembucu, a small place on the Paraguay, a few leagues North 

 of Corrientes, some vessels are constructed. I had opportunities of 

 examining minutely the JMaria Primeira, of four hundred tons, receiving 

 her name from being the first vessel of her size built so high up the 

 river; and if she may be taken as a specimen, and my judgment in such 

 matters be not unworthy of notice, the place possesses excellent timber 

 and skilful shipwrights. All the iron work, however, was obliged to be 

 sent up ready formed, there being no artisans on the spot competent to 

 perform it. She appeared to me, in every respect, a superior vessel, weU 

 modelled and well put together. The builders were extremely anxious that 

 their vessel should not get a-ground, therefore when launched, she waited 

 for the periodical floods, and was brought down in ballast ; a delay, which, 

 I am informed, was by no means necessary, as there is a sufficient 

 depth of water even in the dry season, though the channel is intricate. 



Most of the small vessels on the Parana, which, from their shape 

 and solidity, appear very singular to persons accustomed to modern 

 forms, were, I believe, built here. Some of them are very old, and 

 have done much service ; yet the state in which they appear, shows the 

 good quality of their materials. There can be little doubt, that, when 

 the country is more known, and the population becomes sufficient to 

 induce the inhabitants to cut and square their timber, and to bring it 

 down at a moderate expense, it will become an important article of com- 

 merce. At present, there is such an abundance of the necessaries of life, 

 the people have so few wants, and so little desire, or even knowledge, 

 of superior accommodations, that labour must be expected to remain high 

 in the provinces of Brazil, especially those bordering on the Plata. 



Coruguaty and Villa E-ica are the great marts for Matte. Santa 

 Luzia, and Little Santa Fe, or Parana, export large quantities of Lime, 

 Gypsum, and Plaster of Paris ; hence, I believe, proceeds a considerable 

 part of the materials with which the houses of Monte Video and 

 Buenos Ayres are whitewashed. I never could discover that there is 



