C ) 



tired early to rest ; our rooms, though destitute of almost every ap- 

 propriate convenience, were better than those to which we had of 

 late been accustomed. 



Notwithstanding the fatigue of the journey, which heartily dis- 

 posed me to sleep, my mind was for some time occupied in reflect- 

 ing on the place at which we had now arrived, and which had long 

 been the theme of our wonder and conjecture. Villa Rica — the 

 rich village! The capital of the province of Minas Geraes, and the 

 seat of its Government; a place which had for many years been re- 

 puted the richest in Brazil, as to it was brought all the gold found 

 in the vast district around. Impatient to see some vestiges of 

 that splendor which its name implies, I slept but little, and rose at 

 an early hour. We, with difficulty, obtained our breakfast, con- 

 sisting of coffee and eggs, with bread and English butter, after 

 which we dressed and went to deliver our letters. 



Our arrival being announced, we were directed to present ourselves 

 at the audience-chambers, which form part of a large edifice, con- 

 taining also the Post-office and other public rooms for the transac- 

 tion of Government business. We were introduced to the General 

 of the Forces, and to Dr. Lucas, Judge of the Supreme Court, the 

 latter held the principal authority in the absence of the Viceroy 

 who was gone to Rio de Janeiro, another from Goyazes being ex- 

 pected shortly to succeed him. We were honoured with a most 

 handsome reception, and various houses were put in our choice, 

 with a kind invitation to make use of any of them during our stay, 

 but we preferred taking lodgings in the centre of the town, within 

 three minutes walk of the Palace, in Rua de Dereito, the very 

 Bond Street of Villa Rica. 



After our interview with the Judge, we devoted some hours to a 

 perambulation of the town, and returned much fatigued to dine at 

 our inn. In the evening I paid a visit to the vicar, who gave me a 

 hearty welcome, and in the usual style of Portugueze compliment 

 told me his house was mine. The saying, had it been verified, 



9 



