NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



457 



their churches the best, and almost the only good specimens of archi- 

 tectural taste. 



The Government-house is a large substantial building, two stories 

 high, well situated both for observing what passes in the town, and for 

 the dispatch of public business. Adjoining to it are the public offices, 

 which form one side of an unfinished Plaza, or square, some plain 

 substantial houses stand on the other, and in the centre the pillar of 

 public execution ; one of which is placed, in terrorem, in some frequented 

 part of every town in the province. Here it is surmounted by a figure 

 of Minerva, holding a drawn and lifted sabre in her right hand, instead 

 of a spear, and in her left the scales of Justice, not hoodwinked indeed, 

 nor displaying calm firmness in her attitude and features, but exhibiting 

 all the fierceness of Mars when enraged. 



The Jail is situated in the principal street, a large and strong 

 building, ugly and comfortless, as perhaps it ought to be ; dirty and dis- 

 gusting, as might be expected from the manners and habits of the people. 

 Its inmates are numerous, always visible through broad, unglazed, 

 grated windows, and perpetually begging. The charges against them 

 are mostly capital, and among these none so common as assassination. 



Of a very different description is the Misericordia, or House of 

 Mercy, an. excellent establishment, conveniently arranged, kept in good 

 repair, and, being in a great measure supported by voluntary contri- 

 butions, speaks favourably for the general character of the town. Its 

 funds are well administered, and generally employed in aiding about 

 fifty poor patients, all of whom are males. They are admitted without 

 distinction or inquiry, except such as relate to their disease and distress. 

 When the present Governor came into office, this Charity was in the 

 worst state of management, and its affairs involved and intricate. He 

 succeeded, after a struggle of more than two years, in placing it upon 

 a respectable footing, and by these means brought medical aid within 

 the reach of those who were perishing for want of it, and diffused, 

 through the Town and the Comarca under his care, the warmest senti- 

 ments of gratitude. It was nearly a year since this triumph over villany 



3 M 



