482* 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



person engaged in commerce, and which, with a few unhappy exceptions, 

 do so, I believe, among the whole body of British Merchants, although 

 some supercilious beings may affect to despise the calling, because they 

 have not energy of mind, compass of thought, nor general information 

 enough to meet its unceasing difficulties, to comprehend its combinations, 

 nor to appreciate its honourable confidences. Yet even such as these are 

 useful ; they purchase and consume what they could neither provide nor 

 produce. 



Previous to leaving the town my friends had repeatedly cautioned 

 me against separating from my guide and servants on the road, and 

 particularly against turning aside, even for a moment, into any wood or 

 thicket ; and requested that I would be more on my guard as I approached 

 to Villa Rica, urging as a ground for such caution the perpetual 

 existence of banditti on the road, who made their attacks suddenly, and 

 generally committed murder. The evening before my departure, when 

 it was quite dark, a young man, whose name I have never known, called 



me on one side, and said, " I understand that is going with 



you to Villa Rica, be aware of him, he is a bad man, and you are very 

 frank ; don't get into a dispute with him, he is passionate, always carries 

 a knife, and is apt to take liquors." These hints were evidently given 

 with the best intentions, and, so far as related to my guide, were strongly 

 confirmed by his physiognomy and manners. The stranger added, — 

 " You will find the black man merit all your confidence." 



The Royal Bridge over the Rio dos Mortes, is built of wood, and 

 covered with tiles, having, at the Western end, a large pair of gates,— 

 a sort of barrier where toll is taken of all except privileged strangers. 

 Soon after we had passed them, and left our friends behind, my 

 guide commenced a conversation by asking how I liked the horse which 

 I rode, and proceeded " I knew you would approve the animal ; he 

 belongs to Senhor St. lago, and is one which his lady is accustomed to 

 ride — he is your's." I replied, " I could not think of depriving the 



