NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



can desire. I stopped and enjoyed it long. As the hill was descended, 

 another spectacle yielded a different kind of pleasure, and I hope no 

 smaller degree of satisfaction, it was the recently built hut of a Cutler, 

 who was at work upon small instruments connected with his art, such 

 as penknives, lancets, and fleams ; an establishment of this kind, how- 

 ever small, must be an acquisition to the country, and the more valu- 

 able for being unprecedented. We wished him success and proceeded to 

 the village. 



Through the whole of this day's ride, the roads were much wider 

 and better than we have lately found them. We passed one good estab- 

 lishment, beside that of Secretario, and several huts, whose inhabitants 

 seemed to gain a scanty living by planting a little Milho. The soil was 

 generally rich and deep ; in the valley was some black loam, in other 

 places a red clay mingled with sand. The forests, probably owing to 

 the extremely dry weather, exhibit a singular appearance of winter. The 

 Tacoara and Aloes seem to be quite dried up. Our station is estimated 

 at nearly the same level as that of yesterday. The Thermometer at 1, 

 p. m. was at 78°. at 4 o'clock, at 85°. this difference was imputed to its 

 having been packed up when low, and not exposed during the morning 

 either to the sun or the atmosphere. We had met only about forty 

 mules, which were loaded with the same productions as those of 

 yesterday, and observed that the hills had their easiest declivities 

 toward the North. 



Pampulia contains only six or seven houses, and all of them are 

 Vendas. I retain this word because our term Inn, or even public-house, in 

 any of its acceptations, does not convey an accurate idea of those places 

 of accommodation for travellers. Notwithstanding its destination, the 

 village has a great air of rural comfort in its appearance, and is the most 

 populous place which we have met with from Porto d'Estrella. I was 

 received, on mentioning my guide's name, with frankness and even 

 candour ; nor had I to forage, for behind the house there was an excellent 

 fowl yard, and a large kitchen garden, both of them well stocked. The 

 rooms were too dirty and full of lumber, to induce me to select one as 



