NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



251 



nltered for the better ; and it was no longer necessary to appeal from the 

 Courts of Brazil to those of Lisbon. The Post-OfRce had extended its 

 connexions to every part of the Portuguese dominion ; in Brazil, more 

 especiall}^ the most distant provinces and towns communicated with each 

 other, with ease and confidence. Insurance-Offices had been opened in 

 the city; three Booksellers had established themselves ; and a Gazette was 

 published there twice in the week. 



Many of these changes, though more immediately affecting the 

 capital, had a considerable influence over the whole country. Other 

 improvements belonged more to the provinces than to the city, yet contri- 

 buted largely to its welfare. Officers had been sent into the interior by 

 different routes ; Forts built on the frontiers, and detachments stationed 

 wherever it was thought they would be serviceable ; Telegraphs had also 

 been erected along the coast. The Finances of the country were rendered 

 more productive ; several of the duties were farmed to advantage. Skilful 

 men were sent into the Provinces as Governors, and a strict charge given 

 them to proceed upon the principles adopted in the capital for the 

 improvement of the country. Hamlets had been transformed into 

 villages, and villages raised to the rank of towns, and furnished with 

 suitable functionaries. Many old Roads were cleared of encumbrances from 

 the city, even to the extent of a thousamd or fifteen hundred miles. One 

 of the most important joined the mouth of the Rio Doce with the interior 

 of Minas Geraes ; and another connected Para and Maranham with Rio de 

 Janeiro, St. Paul's, Rio Grande, and Monte Video. Attempts were 

 made to civilize the Indians ; a sort of Conservator was placed over them, 

 who seemed to gain their confidence, and a few of their young people 

 were brought to Rio for instruction, particularly in the art of husbandry. 

 Regulations were published relative to the Slave Trade, which contributed 

 much to the health and comfort of the unfortunate subjects of this com- 

 merce, while on their passage. 



The opponents of these measures were not wrong in attributing 

 tliem chiefly to the truly patriotic and indefatigable Minister, Don 

 Rodrigues Conde de Linhares ; nor were they altogether mistaken, as 



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