NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



311 



Having again entered on fine pastures, we perceived a man galloping 

 towards us. He seemed a respectable planter, was well mounted, and 

 courteously invited us to his house. Though we declined his invitation, 

 he stuck to us, wishing, as it appeared, to gratify the curiosity which is here 

 universally felt, with regard to the plans and views of strangers. We soon 

 reached the banks of the Itapitiu, where, the ferry-boat being on other 

 service, our volunteer guide gave directions concerning the passage, and 

 plunged in first. We reached the other side without difficulty, where 

 he led us to a venda, into which we could not obtain admittance, because 

 it was occupied by the attendants on a wedding, among whom were 

 females. Had we known less of the prejudices of the country, this 

 would have appeared to us a singular reason ; but it is by no means 

 unwise in this country ; for persons of different sexes, unacquainted with 

 each other, can seldom mix without exciting great and sometimes fatal 

 jealousies. 



About a hundred neatly-whitened houses made up this village, and 

 others were in progress. Among the timbers prepared for them, I 

 observed the valuable Brazil wood ; and, inquiring how it came to be so 

 employed, was told, that it was a great annoyance to an estate, as the 

 owner was not allowed to sell it openly, nor even to cut it down, but 

 for his own private use. On inquiry about barks, which might be used 

 in dyeing, some was showed me from this tree, and the people were 

 well aware that several other materials for this purpose might be drawn 

 from the forests ; but the want of purchasers rendered them useless. I 

 have long imagined that the essences of dyeing woods, if speculation 

 in such articles were encouraged, might be brought from spots whose 

 remoteness or difficulty of access effectually preclude the conveyance 

 of the wood itself 



The setting sun of this evening was so singularly beautiful, that 

 a short notice of its appearance and effects may be acceptable. We 

 viewed it from a rising ground, which commanded a forest scene, situated 

 in a curve between two hills, not unlike the vale of Clwyd, when seen 

 from Ruthin. Some rain had fallen, and as the sun went down in 



