508 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



it is known that, in a little more than a hundred years, according to the 

 entries at the S melting-house of Villa Rica, that place alone has sent into 

 circulation more than two millions of pounds, troy-weight, of gold. 

 When to this mass is added what has been issued from other places, may 

 it not be naturally asked, — where is it now ? 



From the steepness of the streets in thi« town, wheel-carriages 

 would be almost as useless there as in Venice. As a substitute for them 

 a large vehicle, like a Sedan-chair, is used, and carried by mules instead 

 of men ; the workmanship of it is very clumsy, and the harness far inferior 

 to ours. But an English saddle having found its way hither, the harness- 

 maker, much to his credit, borrowed it, took it to pieces, and put it toge- 

 ther again, in such a manner that the owner did not perceive any alteration. 

 The man had the ingenuity to imitate what he had thus examined ; and 

 I saw a saddle-tree made by him which came little short of his modeL 



When the town becomes dangerously full of vice and wretchedness, 

 a report is circulated that a remote spot has been discovered in the woods 

 which is rich in the precious metal.. The restless and adventurous soon 

 become clamorous to resort to it ; they assemble in crowds, and, under a 

 leader of their own choice, proceed towards these new and unequalled 

 mines. Some of them, tired of what seems useless travelling, halt by 

 the way, and settle in different places. Others advance to the spot, or 

 that Avhich is supposed to be so, find its riches greatly exaggerated, yet 

 remain there, and, ere long, call the country their own. Thus Villa 

 Rica is relieved, and new colonies established. A scheme of this sort 

 was set on foot in 1812, when about a thousand people departed in search 

 of a " golden league," which some unknown traveller had seen two 

 months' journey to the Westward. 



Retiring to an antichamber from the performance of an unpleasant 

 duty, that of paying my respects to the stately gentleman who filled the 

 office of Governor of Minas Geraes, I was thus accosted, in good English, 

 — " Sir, I think you are an Englishman.'^ " I am, Sir, and surprised to 

 laear you speak my language so correctly," " Ah, Sir, I too am an 



