>;OTES ON BRAZIL. 



573 



inferior classes. I had mingled among them without reserve, noted their 

 disposition, and was convinced that there never was a more affectionate 

 Capital than Rio de Janeiro at that time. I was therefore pained and 

 disgusted, on finding that a quantity of ball-cartridge had been served 

 out to some of the troops, and that no person was permitted to speak 

 among the crowd in any foreign language. When a native of Venice 

 addressed me in English, he was ordered, with a tone of rudeness, by 

 a soldier, to speak Portuguese, or hold his tongue. One circumstance 

 occurred, which did great honour both to the Sovereign and the sub- 

 ject. The Conde dos Arcos, whose excellent conduct while Governor 

 of Bahia, has already been noticed, arrived in Rio the evening before 

 the ceremony, and being late in his appearance, the King positively 

 refused to proceed until he came. As the Count walked up the Gal- 

 lery, the King met him, gave him a warm embrace, and acknowledged 

 his services with strong emotions of gratitude. 



The erection of Brazil into a Kingdom, was attended by a circum- 

 stance more beneficial than any which has yet been stated. When the 

 Merchants of Rio met to congratulate their Sovereign, they subscribed 

 a considerable sum of money, to form a fund, whose proceeds should be 

 appropriated to the purposes of general education ; and he passed a 

 decree to render it secure and effective. Literature and Science had not 

 been quite neglected down to this period, for Halls had been opened, 

 where the most useful branches of Military Knowledge were taught; and 

 many works were published for the use of soldiers. 



The King's Library had been arranged, and opened for public use, 

 but contained few works suited to the present advanced state of know- 

 ledge, or to modern taste. The inhabitants of Convents too, had become 

 less scrupulous about displaying the contents of their Libraries, and 

 some Greek Works were unexpectedly found in that of St. Bento. The 

 Correio Braziliensis, and the Patriota, had circulated widely, and 

 diffused among the people more just knowledge of themselves and the 

 world. Some years before, the Regent had made inquiries respecting 



