142 



A VOYAGE TO 



States; fifteen, and even twenty of a family, being not 

 unusual. Young children enjoy excellent health; and 

 are in general, weaned young, and nourished with the 

 banana, which is extremely wholesome, and well 

 adapted for the purpose. The upper classes are said 

 to lead a very inactive and indolent life, consulting 

 only the gratification of their pleasures; in conse- 

 quence of this, their old age is overtaken by chronic 

 diseases, among them the elephantiasis, or swelling 

 of the legs, to such a degree as to bear a resemblance 

 to those of the elephant. I saw one case of this mala- 

 dy, at which I was greatly shocked. The inhabitants 

 in general, are temperate in their living; but if we may 

 credit the accounts we hear, very depraved, as well as 

 ignorant. This is not to be wondered at, considering 

 the nature of their composition; all the mechanics are 

 either negroes or mulattoes; and indeed, almost every 

 business which requires attention, and assiduity, is 

 pursued by colored people, a great proportion of whom 

 are free. The people in general, are sunk in the low- 

 est state of political degradation; they know nothing^ 

 of the measures of government; affairs of state are ne- 

 ver the subject of their conversation, unless indeed 

 with a very small number among tlie higher classes, 

 who observe the greatest secrecy and caution. The 

 prejudice with respect to complexion, did not appear 

 to me as strong as in the United States. This may 

 be owing to the great number of persons of color, who 

 own large fortunes, and possess wealth and conse- 

 quence. T remarked several mulatto priests, and in 

 one instance a negro. 



Among the better classes of the people, Lisbon 

 is the model upon which their manners are formed; 



