368 



KOTES ON BRAZIL. 



modes, with a Tropeiro, or carrier, whom they recommended to me 

 not onl)'- as a good man, but possessing all the important qualifications of 

 an agreeable companion. He was to find me a riding mule, and one to 

 carry my baggage ; my servant rode one of my own mules, and led, for 

 my accommodation, a long tried favourite stallion. 



I took with me, besides wearing apparelj a bed and bed-stocks, 

 which are constructed for the convenience of travellers, folded up in a 

 small compass, and constitute what is called a Cama da Venta. I was 

 furnished also with a small writing-desk, implements for drawing, a 

 thermometer, and an excellent small telescope. I carried also the little 

 luxuries of biscuit, Jamaica rum, wine, porter, tobacco, tea, and sugar ; 

 a knife, fork, and spoon ; candles and candlestick. I adopted partly the 

 dress of the country, and my servant carried an extra japanned bat, to 

 serve in wet weather. It will be evident, from this sort of preparation, 

 that we expected the route to afford us none of the luxuries of life, 

 nor always the indulgences which may be derived from the abundant 

 produce of the country through which we were to pass. It may excite 

 some degree of surprise, among those accustomed to European travel- 

 ling, to learn that, in Brazil, the common articles of pepper and salt, 

 as well as those of more importance, are often placed beyond the reach 

 of wealth itself to purchase. 



We left the city amidst the good wishes of many friends, and 

 coasted along the Eastern side of the Ilha do Governador, passed the 

 Island of Antonio da Sylva, stood away, without impediment from 

 shoals, to the mouth of the Inhomerim, and, in the evening, reached 

 Porto D'Estrella, a distance of seven leagues. The town was very full 

 of soldiers, for the mihtia of the country, both cavalry and infantry^ 

 had been assembled there for the purpose of training, a circumstance 

 which takes place every three months. Their term had expired that 

 evening ; those who resided in the neighbourhood had already gone to 

 their homes, but some of them came from places more than an hundred 

 miles distant, so extensive is the district to which this corps belongs. In 

 almost every other country such a military system, comprehending so 



