S56 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



harvest; I have. Sir, several hundred head of working cattle, I can turn 

 them every evening into pastures, where they gather their own food, 

 and are ready for my use again in the morning." 



When the Siesta was soon afterwards proposed, I should have 

 declined it, not being accustomed to such an indulgence, but acquiesced, 

 in the remembrance that I should otherwise deprive my host of one of 

 the best, and to people of his age, one of the most necessary of Brazilian 

 enjoyments. A small retiring room, gorgeously painted with native 

 earths, was pointed out to me, in which was an elegant couch, with 

 coverings and pillows of fine cotton, ornamented with needle work, and 

 bordered with Brussels lace. This finery did not tempt me to seek 

 repose ; as soon as the house appeared perfectly still, I took my gun, 

 and descended to the neighbouring plains, where I found many birds 

 of exquisite plumage, and pre-eminent among them, the light blue 

 Sabiar. The wood, I was told, was full of deer, which often showed 

 themselves in an evening, when they came to the stream to drink. 



The behaviour of the slaves on this farm was marked with singular 

 propriety ; it was respectful, without ceremony or obsequiousness, and 

 exhibited evidences of good management in their occupations, and kind 

 treatment in the house. This and other appearances inclined me to 

 believe, what I had been told, that my friend belonged to a small sect, 

 called Sebastianistas, with a few of whom I have occasionally had some 

 intercourse. They are truly devout in their worship of God, and ardent 

 in their love of a Redeemer, but follow the forms of the church from 

 education, rather than conviction ; holding, in many respects, a like 

 station among Brazihan Cathohcs to that formerly filled by the Puritans 

 among British Protestants. 



On a distant part of his farm, the owner has established his only son, 

 who had been educated for the church, and officiated as a Priest on the 

 demesne. His father sent to request that he would spend the evening 

 with us, and collect the dogs against the following morning, to treat us 

 with a chase, in the common style of the country. The sportsmen make 

 their way through the woods, always taking a direction towards the 



