( 278 ) 



with particular attention ; honorary gifts should be made to those 

 who most promoted its welfare, and premiums should be offered 

 for the encouragement of all attempts to ameliorate the condition 

 of the negroes. Although these poor captives are in general much 

 better treated in Brazil than in many other colonies, yet their wel- 

 fare is a consideration which ought always to be uppermost in 

 the minds of the philanthropic. Among other subjects that merit 

 the encouragement of such a society, are the growth of hemp and 

 flax ; the improvement of the cotton, which of late years has been 

 much neglected ; of coffee, which may be almost said to be unat- 

 tended to ; and of rum, which is so very indifferent, and which, 

 with better management, might be made so much superior. A 

 better mode of farming might be introduced, — the culture of grass 

 for cattle better attended to, — new modes of washing for gold and dia- 

 monds invented, that the negroes might work in an upright position. 



Were such societies formed under the patronage of the Prince 

 Regent, great improvements might be expected in every depart- 

 ment of rural economy ; the country would be better cultivated, its 

 mines would be worked to greater advantage, and many new pro- 

 ductions, both mineral and vegetable, would in all probability soon 

 be discovered. Through the influence of these philosophic meetings, 

 information would be generally communicated, a spirit of enquiry 

 would be awakened among the peo])le ; they would learn to appre- 

 ciate the blessings with which nature has enriched their country ; 

 they would introduce the modern improvements of Europe ; as they 

 became enlightened, they would become industrious, and would 

 much surpass their neighbours, who would look up to them for in- 

 struction and example. 



What objection can be made to a measure which promises to be- 

 nefit alike the subjects and the state ? Even the most narrow- 

 minded policy cannot find a pretext for keeping a whole people in 

 ignorance ; for to be informed is to be useful, and every portion of 

 knowledge imparted to them redounds to the interest of the govern-. 



