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Yet, notwithstanding the idleness of the inhabitants, Tejuco may 

 be called flourishing, on account of the circulation of property 

 created by the diamond works. The annual sum paid by Govern- 

 ment for the hire of negroes, salaries of officers, and various neces- 

 saries, such as nitre and iron, does not amount to less than 35,0001., 

 and this, added to the demands of the inhabitants of the town and 

 its vicinity, occasions a considerable trade. The shops are stocked 

 with English cottons, baizes, and cloths, and other manufactured 

 goods ; also hams, cheese, butter, porter, and other articles of con- 

 sumption. Mules from Biihia and Rio de Janeiro came loaded with 

 them. Great complaints were made among the shopkeepers of the 

 bad quality of the cotton goods, and of their losing their colours in 

 washing. Some of the principal inhabitants exclaimed against the in- 

 troduction of foreign luxuries, and rather wished that their trade with 

 England should furnish them the means of working their iron mines, 

 and enable them to defend themselves. 



Tejuco, owing to its situation by the side of a hill, is very irregu- 

 larly built ; its streets are uneven, but the houses in general are well 

 constructed and in good condition, compared with those of other 

 towns in the interior. Its name, which, in the Portuguese language, 

 signifies a muddy place, is derived from places of that description in 

 its neighbourhood, which are rendered passable by being covered 

 with large pieces of wood. 



Through the kind care and attention of Mr. De Camara and his 

 excellent family, my health was in part re-established, and I was 

 enabled to ride out daily, occupying myself in seeing all I could, and 

 gaining the best information, in which I was assisted by my worthy 

 host and all his friends. Our evenings were passed in a most agree- 

 able manner, among the parties which regularly assembled at the 

 intendant's house, consisting of some of the principal inhabitants of 

 the town. In these parties the gentlemen engage at whist, and the 

 ladies take tea and play round games, or enter into conversation on 

 the passing occurrences of the day. In no part of Brazil did I meet 



