NOTES ON BRAZIL, 



must see that it flourishes luxuriantly ; yet tlie projectors of the scheme 

 seem to have calculated ill, are become dissatisfied with their own 

 plan, and consequently neglect it. The rate of wages is too high to 

 admit of the production of tea at moderate prices; while the Chinese, 

 though diligent, are too precise and slow in theii" modes of culture. 



With several of these people, and particularly their Chief, a native 

 of Nanquin, I had much intercourse. They were extremely ignorant, 

 but gave me very favourable conceptions of their principles and dispo- 

 sitions. Some of them showed a rapidity of comprehension, whicli 

 surpassed whatever I have observed of the kind in any other race. Like 

 the modern Greeks, their spirits are broken, and their characters debased, 

 by the dominion of Barbarians. Auspicious to the human race, and 

 welcome to themselves, would be the day of their deliWance ; another 

 great portion of the globe would open to science, and millions be raised 

 to the dignity of men. 



From the Garden the road leads through a pleasing, narrow dell, to 

 another elevated pass between two mountains. No one, I think, can 

 look round him from that on the right, without being sensibly affected 

 with the mysterious grandeur of nature's works. To me it appears that 

 the various islands and peaks of stone, in view from hence, have been 

 portions of a more elevated scene, and that the crust of the earth between 

 them has been broken and buried beneath the waters of the ocean. How 

 or when such an event occurred, are questions which may possibly never 

 be resolved. Men skilled in geological science, who have examined 

 Brazil, have declared, that the facts developed have overthroAvn all 

 theories constructed on the phenomena observed in Europe and countries 

 whose elevation is comparatively so small. 



Descending the other side of the hill, and passing a small, heated, 

 yet verdant plain, to the foot of the Gavia, a mountain presents itself, 

 the face of which bears a rough resemblance to the front of a vast Cathe- 

 dral, with a tower at each extremity. Turning to the left, we get into 

 an old track, cut in the side of the mountain, and paved with large 

 stones, now broken up by the torrents, and covered with slimy plants. 



