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tain particles of gold, but being too hard to be crushed by the hand, 

 are thrown aside among the debris. 



In this fazenda, as in most others, the conveniences for storing 

 the produce are so very poor and imperfect that the weevil soon 

 gets into the corn, and the cotton, coffee, and other produce are 

 liable to be deteriorated in a thousand ways. The stabling too is 

 bad, and the cattle are deplorably neglected ; indeed the only part 

 of the live stock that seems to be tolerably well attended to, is the 

 swine. In the dwelling-house J observed a total inattention to do- 

 mestic comfort ; its general appearance confirmed a remark which 

 I had often heard made, that the owners of estates here dislike to 

 live upon them, and considering their residence as only temporary, 

 make shift with poor accommodations. 



The tract of land belonging to the farm is full two miles square, 

 and though still susceptible of great improvement, has not been 

 wholly neglected ; the parts already cleared have produced many 

 valuable crops, and the rest will no doubt in a few years be brought 

 to an equally promising state of cultivation. 



Having staid two days with Captain Ferrera, I set out on the 

 morning of the third for Porto dos Caxhes, where I arrived at two 

 o'clock, after a journey of thirty miles, and was delayed some 

 time, as the river was crowded with vessels, laden with ship-^timber, 

 for the capital. As soon as the navigation became sufficiently open, 

 I embarked in a large boat, of about ten tons burthen, and rowing 

 all night to the mouth of the river, sailed with a land wind, and 

 arrived at Rio de Janeiro about noon. My first care was to inform 

 His Excellency the Minister of my return, after which I employed 

 two days in drawing up my journal for his inspection. He received 

 it in the handsomest manner, and laid it before His Royal Highness, 

 who was pleased to signify, that my description of the country, 

 through which I had travelled, merited his approbation. 



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