SOUTH AMERICA, 



181 



our mdtive for exertion might not be the same, from tlie 

 greater facilities of obtaining the first necessaries of life. 

 But would this be the case among men habituated to 

 free government, and therefore anxious to rise? A mo- 

 tive in itself sufficient for every exertion, in order to 

 better their situation. The Brazilians have hitherto 

 shewn little activity in commerce, or industry in agri- 

 culture; but has not this been owing to the nature of 

 the government under which Ihey were bred, and to the 

 colonial restrictions? To what other cause can we at- 

 tribute the poverty and wretchedness of the lower 

 classes of people, in countries where they are surround- 

 ed by the means of creating an abundance? Yet even 

 since the colonial restrictions have been taken off, an 

 evident improvement in their condition is beginning to 

 be seen. As a further proof that the climate does not ne- 

 cessarily relax the springs of industry and enterprise, 

 we may cite the restless expeditions of the Paulistas 

 through the interior, while engaged in their laborious 

 search of mines. An activity, it must be confessed, 

 that might have been much more usefully directed. 

 Their example gave rise to a dangerous spirit of gam- 

 ing and speculation. A most seducing temptation was 

 held out by the success of a few, for others to engage 

 in similar undertakings, to the neglect of what would 

 be attended with more certainty for themselves, and 

 at the same time be more generally beneficial. Pre- 

 cious metals are not obtained without great expense 

 and risk, even to the individual who is successful; but 

 to the community, the expense is enormously dispro- 

 portionate, on account of the numbers who engage in 

 the pursuit and prove unfortunate. A spirit of gam- 

 ing, takes the place of the sober plans of industry. 



