( 106 ) 



accrue to the state from such an experiment, by opening its own re- 

 sources for the supply of that useful metal. He in part assented to the 

 proposal, but expressed a wish that I should previously devote a few 

 days to an inspection of the Prince's farm at Santa Cruz, and on my 

 return make a report of the state in which I found it. While pre- 

 paring for my journey, it was intimated to me as the Prince's par- 

 ticular desire, that I should endeavour to establish a dairy on the 

 principle of those in England, and direct the people in the manage- 

 ment of it, to which I readily assented. Being provided with horses 

 and a soldier to attend me, I set out on the journey, accompanied 

 by a gentleman named Paroissien, whose amiable disposition and 

 scientific pursuits rendered him a very useful companion. After 

 about fifty miles hard riding, we arrived at the farm about six in the 

 evening, much fatigued. The accommodations we met with, fully 

 explained to me the motive of His Royal Highnesses minister in en- 

 quiring into the state of his domain. Having presented my official 

 letters, I was obliged to wait until ten o'clock before the slightest 

 refreshment could be procured ; not a dish of coffee was to be had ; 

 the only fare set before us was some lean beef half-boiled, certainly 

 the worst I had ever tasted in Brazil. The mulatto who attended us 

 engaged to have breakfast ready by seven next morning; we were in 

 readiness at the hour, and though told it was coming immediately, 

 we waited three hours, when just as we were ordering out the horses 

 to Rio to avoid being famished, the repast was announced, with an 

 excuse that it could not come sooner, because no milk could be pro- 

 cured. 



I then took a survey of the establishment and rode over the 

 grounds. The house, I was informed, was once a convent of Jesuits, 

 who possessed also the extensive tract of land attached to it, which 

 they managed much better than their successors, if we may judge 

 by the remains of their undertakings. The edifice is neither large 

 nor grand : it is built in a quadrangular form, with an open court in 

 the centre, and galleries inside to the first and second floors. The 



9 



