NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



the edge of the forest in either of these directions. In this place rises 

 the Parapeba, one of the principal heads of the Francisco. 



From the summit of the hill a charming view opened upon us. 

 The immediate prospect was a semicircle of mountains, commencing in 

 the South-East, and stretching away by the North to the West, about 

 fifteen miles in diameter. Within its compass the billowy land, declining 

 towards the North, was adorned with many patches of wood, and 

 presented that park-like scenery which is so highly admired in the 

 neighbourhood of Sheffield. In the midst stood the town of Que- 

 luz, with its whitewashed houses, forming one of the prettiest features 

 in the picture. Towards the South appeared the rough Morro of St. 

 Joze, and West of it the far distant lands of the Rio Grande. 



As we advanced the mountains assumed a bolder form, and became 

 more like those of Caernarvon, as they appear when approaching them 

 from Gwindu, in Anglesea. The town of Queluz consists of about a 

 hundred houses, arranged along the ridge of a hill, which is just 

 broad enough for a street. There are three Churches ; one of them, in 

 the heart of the town, is handsome, and contains some neat images of 

 saints, to whose protection my guide devoutly committed himself, while 

 I was admiring the workmanship which they displayed. In the environs 

 the tobacco plant flourishes, in a Avild state, with the utmost luxuriance. 



To continue to think favourably of Queluz, a stranger should 

 content himself with its external appearance; he should neither enter 

 the houses nor have any intercourse with the inhabitants. The wretched 

 internal state of the one is as revolting as the manners of the other. 

 Gold, which has been extensively and successfully sought in the neigh- 

 bourhood, has at length failed, and left the people with debased minds 

 and idle habits. There is something in their appearance and counte- 

 nances uncommonly villanous, more so,. I think, than I have observed 

 in any other part even of Brazil. Upon a nearer acquaintance it is found 

 that they add impudence to ignorance, and impertinence to cm*iosity. In 

 the afternoon I was visited by the chief magistrate of the place, for 

 purposes which I could not weE understand ; but he did not fail to show 



