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three other ladies, whose society was very pleasant and cheerful. 

 On the next day, after some trouble, my soldiers at a late hour pro- 

 cured mules, when I set out about ten o'clock upon a bad road, and 

 after travelling half a league arrived at the Corgo de Infectionado, 

 a fine rivulet flowing through a country rich in gold, particularly 

 near the village of Santa Barbara, where washings appear in all 

 directions. From hence to the village of Catos Altos, two leagues 

 distant, is a tract of the finest open country I ever travelled in Brazil; 

 it has many features resembling that between Matlock and Derby, 

 and its mountains bear a strong similarity to those of Westmoreland. 

 There are slips in some of them in which topazes are found, but 

 rarely any of good quality. This district appeared equally suited 

 for mining and agriculture, the ground being rich above as well as 

 below. The village of Catos Altos, through which we rode, con- 

 tains at least two thousand inhabitants, and is situated in a popu- 

 lous neighbourhood. The public buildings are well constructed, 

 and the private houses in general appear very respectable, but bear 

 evident marks of decay. We crossed the river, which is broad but 

 shallow, and has works on its banks of greater extent and under 

 better management than any I had hitherto seen. The whole vi- 

 cinity is irrigated by numerous rivulets, many of which are di- 

 verted from their courses to a great distance for the purpose of gold- 

 washing. In all parts, even on. the tops and sides of the hills, Ave 

 observed operations of this kind going on ; in the valleys there were 

 many spots still rich in gold, which had not yet been washed. 



Continuing about six miles over this naked country, we entered 

 on a more confined road, and passing a village called Cocaes, pro- 

 ceeded half a league further in the dark, to the mansion of Senhor 

 Felicia, the Captain Mor of the district, where we alighted, having 

 travelled this day above thirty miles. On being announced I was 

 immediately shewn up stairs into a suite of handsome apartments, 

 furnished with great magnificence, where I was introduced by the 

 Captain to his amiable lady and daughter. We were joined by 



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