( lor ) 



apartments are thirty-six in number, very small, having been adapted 

 to the use of the brotherhood, and since their departure only in a 

 slight degree altered and decorated for the reception of the Royal 

 Family, as their summer residence. In front of the house, to the 

 southward, extends one of the finest plains in the world, two leagues 

 square, watered by two rivers navigable for small craft, and bounded 

 by fine bold rocky scenery, embellished in many parts with noble 

 forest trees. This plain is clothed with the richest pasture, and sup- 

 ports from seven to eight thousand head of cattle. A considerable 

 part of it lies low, and abounds with bogs which might easily be laid 

 dry and rendered cultivable by proper drainage. The park occupies 

 in its entire extent upwards of one hundred square miles, a territory 

 almost as large as some of the late principalities of Italy, and capable, 

 by its proximity and connection with the capital both by land and 

 water, of being rendered one of the most productive and populous 

 in Brazil. Under the present system of management it is in a pro- 

 gressive state of deterioration ; two small corners, the best of the 

 land, one about half a league square and the other more than a 

 league square, have been already, through disingenuous artifices, 

 sold off, and the rest may in no long time be sacrificed to men whose 

 cupidity stimulates them to depreciate its value, unless proper means 

 are used to thwart their nefarious designs. 



The negroes on this estate, including all descriptions, amount to 

 about fifteen hundred in number. They are in general a very excel- 

 lent class of men, tractable and gentle in their dispositions, and by 

 no means deficient in intellect. Great pains have been taken to en- 

 lighten them, they are regularly instructed in the principles of the 

 Christian faith, and have prayers publicly read to them morning and 

 evening, at the commencement and close of their day's labour. 

 Plots of ground, at their own choice, are assigned to each, and two 

 days in the week, besides the incidental holidays, are allowed them 

 to raise and cultivate produce for their own subsistence ; the rest of 

 their time and labour is devoted to the service of His Highness. 



p 2 



