NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



599 



peculiarly elevated and secure.^ Would to God that she may have 

 wisdom enough to use her influence well ! 



Between Russia and Brazil a friendly intercourse had been main- 

 tained, commercial connections established., and ambassadors sent to 

 represent the Sovereigns at the respective Courts. By an unfortunate 

 mistake, however, the Minister of his Imperial Majesty had been selected 

 from Siberia, a native of Tobolski, or its neighbourhood, who brought 

 with him ideas of absolute authority, and unresisting submission, incom- 

 parably more tyrannical than Brazilian masters exercise, or Negro slaves 

 are accustomed to yield. It is impossible to account for this man's 

 conduct upon any reasonable principles. It is most charitable to hope 

 that he was far from representing his master, or even affording a fair sample 

 of Siberian Noblemen : his mind, 1 think, must have been deranged. 

 Upon this supposition measures were taken to dismiss him in such 

 a way as might not endanger the good understanding of the two Courts, 

 and the diplomatic business again devolved upon the former active Charge 

 des Affairs. 



With Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers, old Treaties had been renewed, 

 and the trade of Portugal with the Mediterranean placed upon its ancient 

 footing. Brazil had been allowed a share in the privileges which the 

 Barbary States had granted, and hopes were entertained that Lisbon 

 might recover something of her former commerce. 



The Duke of Luxemburgh had arrived as Envoy from France, and 

 settled the intercourse of that country with Brazil upon just and solid 

 principles. On this occasion it was amusing to a spectator, to witness 

 how much the Merchants of Brazil were exhilarated, how loudly and 

 learnedly they talked about French manufactures and French modes ; 

 how they predicted the speedy expulsion of the dull and monopolizing 

 British from their markets ; how soon they corrected their notions, how 

 frankly they acknowledged their disappointment, and into what utter 

 contempt, as traders, the Frenchmen fell. After appointing a Charg^ 

 and Consul-General, the Duke returned, taking with him to Lisbon his 

 sister, the Duchess of Cadaval, and his nephew, the Duke, — a privi* 



