512 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



scite of Villa Rica, and surrounded Avith lofty ground, is close and 

 hot. It is nearly square, and consists principally of two well-paved 

 streets, regularly laid out, and conducting to a sort of plaza ar square. 

 The houses, amounting to five hundred, have a cleanly look, arising 

 from their being regularly whitened. The churches are neat, and among 

 them is a spacious Cathedral. It enjoys high ecclesiastical, as well as 

 civil, privileges ; and seems destined, if no folly of men prevent its pro- 

 gress, to become hereafter the University of South America. The 

 supply of water is ample, and greatly aids in the culture of many plea- 

 sant gardens, interspersed with the buildings. Their situation does not 

 prevent them from exhibiting a luxuriant display of fruit and flowers. 

 Beyond them, extend fine green meadows, through which the river runs, 

 like a vein of silver; and around is a circle of mountains, inclosing and 

 protecting the whole. There is in the place an unusual air of happiness, 

 which I am inclined to attribute to its comparative freedom from the 

 baneful spirit of mining. 



Limestone, as the whitened houses demonstrate, is not unfrequent 

 in the neighbourhood. Cazal reports, that in a tract of this description, 

 six miles from the city, there is a formation of Crystalline Stalactytes. 



About ten miles South of the town stands the lofty Itacolumi, the 

 pinnacle of the internal mass, which gives form and solidity to this part 

 of the Continent, and so Avidely distinguishable every where around, as 

 to demand frequent notice, when prospects are spoken of. Its base is a 

 vast mountain, not less than a thousand feet high, on which are piled a 

 larger and a smaller rock, both naked and laminated, and having around 

 them a large quantity of broken matter. 



Its vicinity is an abode of native Indians, from which they occasion- 

 ally come down into the towns. Formerly, their visits were the occasion 

 of much mischief ; now, they generally come on errands of peace, and 

 conduct themselves with propriety. In their present ordinary state, they 

 are represented by those who have visited them familiarly, as by no 

 means savage ; but when under strong excitement, either from liquor or 

 passion, it is dangerous to meet with them. In this state, they will 



