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proud than those of other nations. In their mixed assembhes the 

 utmost gaiety prevails, and is seasoned by that finished pohteness 

 for which the Portugueze are generally distinguished. The conver- 

 sation of the ^best-bred men, however, is more lively than instruc- 

 tive; for education is here at a low ebbj and comprehends a very 

 Hmited course of literature and science. It is proper to add that* 

 since the arrival of the court, measures have been adopted for effect- 

 ing a thorough reform in the seminaries, and other institutions for 

 public instruction ; and that the Prince Regent, in his solicitude for 

 the good of his subjects, has zealously patronized every attempt to 

 diffuse among them a taste for useful knowledge. Under his au- 

 spices, the college of St. Joaquim has undergone considerable im- 

 provement : a lectureship on chemistry has been instituted, to which 

 our countryman, Dr. Gardner, has been nominated by His Royal 

 Highness ; and it is to be hoped that from this appointment may be 

 dated the introduction of experimental philosophy in that establish- 

 ment. 



Resuming my narrative, T am bound in gratitude to state that the 

 reception I met with here exceeded my most sanguine hopes, and far 

 more so any individual pretensions on which I could ground them. 

 I must attribute it to the letter of introduction to the Viceroy, with 

 which the Portuguese ambassador in London honoured me on my 

 departure thence, and which I presented to the ambassador's noble 

 relative, the Conde de Linhares, minister for foreign affairs. This 

 distinguished statesman shewed me every attention, and granted me 

 every privilege I could ask, so that, through his kind condescension, 

 all went well with me. I may state this without incurring the im- 

 putation of vanity, since it is only one among the numerous proofs 

 he has given of his disposition to serve the English by every means 

 in his power. 



A few weeks after my arrival, I solicited permission of His Excel- 

 lency the Conde de Linhares to work an iron mine at Guaraceaba, 

 representing at the same time the immense advantages which might 



p 



