NOTES ON BllAZIL. 



22B 



side by a black belt. He had ridden that morning nine leagues on his 

 own estate, which consisted of two other islands besides Cangazii, on the 

 largest of which, towards the North-west, stood his house. In this place 

 he had established a soap-manufactory, that he might be able to work up 

 Ills own tallow, using for the purpose the ashes of three different kinds 

 of wood which grew on the spot. At no great distance from the hut he 

 had commenced building a good house, because as trade was increasing, 

 and vessels were obliged to pass close by the island, he thought the 

 situation a favourable one. 



It soon appeared, when we began to talk of business, that, however 

 wealthy, he could command no cash, and had only a small stock of 

 exportable articles ; but he offered, in payment for goods, the island on 

 which we were, its buildings and cattle, warranting the latter to exceed 

 four thousand head, and the land to be amply sufficient for their support ; 

 and estimating the whole at eight thousand cruzadoes, — about nine 

 hundred pounds sterling. Though I did not see the whole of the island, 

 I rode over a considerable part of it, and had reason to suppose that it 

 comprehended eighteen or twenty square miles. The wood and fisheries, 

 in such bargains, are not thought worthy to be taken into account. We 

 did not bargain for the estate, which to me would have been an incum- 

 brance ; but I offered him the same sum for the hides of the cattle alone, 

 provided he would deliver them at St. Pedro, within a month, in good 

 order, and fit for siiippiiig. This he declined, alledging that he could 

 not find hands to slaughter the cattle, and cure the hides, and that, if 

 they were to be found, the work and wages would put him to more 

 expense than the price offered. Hence it became evident how low was 

 the value of land and stock, and how deplorably thin of inhabitants a 

 part of the country possessing a rich and fertile soil. 



We passed our time here out of doors, and in field-sports, as much 

 as civility to the Major would allow ; he, like his countrymen in general, 

 having no taste for such occupations. He allotted for my use a powerful 

 and well trained horse, mounted on which I made one of a party of 

 eight, who went out, under the direction of a young man, about 



