NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



191 



few moral advantages, the great influx of strangers, and the frequent 

 changes in society, were pecuHarly hostile to its feeble virtue. All the 

 vigour of the Governor was insufficient to prevent the- mischief occa- 

 sioned in this way ; though, by the interposition of his authority, he 

 sometimes rendered the abode of unprincipled adventurers in the 

 town, as uncomfortable to themselves, as it was irksome to the well- 

 disposed. 



Believing that the character and government of this Gentleman were 

 generally held in that estimation, which we Englishmen thought their 

 due, I was surprised to find him the object of one of those furious 

 Philippics, which the Catholic Clergy frequently pronounce from the 

 pulpit, during Lent. On the preceding Sunday, which was very hot, 

 a number of young men quenched their thirst in the Church, out of a 

 marenga, an earthen vessel like a tea-kettle. Being myself thirsty, and 

 accustomed to receive civilities from some of them, 1 sent a boy to request 

 a draught of the water, which was refused me. T he Preacher of the 

 following Sunday had ascertained that the vessel contained, not water, 

 but spirits; his anger was justly roused against the delinquents, and 

 he chastised them with much animation and eloquen:;e. All appeared 

 to feel the propriety of his censures, until towards the close of his 

 address, he turned to the Chief JMagistrate, and in direct terms accused 

 him of giving countenance to gross immorality, of treachery to God, 

 through a want of zeal to defend his holy services, and to punish those 

 who dared to profane them. So sacred is the pulpit in the eyes of many 

 of the Clergy, that they esteem themselves licensed to utter in it 

 whatever their bigotry, caprice, or disappointment may prompt, even 

 in the hearing of Kings, whose conduct may have excited their 

 displeasure. 



In this brief delineation of Manners and Character, an example of 

 holy zeal may, not inappropriately, be followed by one of singular 

 tolerance. I used occasionally to enter this Church by a small side door, 

 near the altar, and to hold myself so far back as to be only a spectator of 

 the religious rites. On the evening of Good Friday, I had entered the 



