NOTICES OP BRAZIL. 



57 



large, and resembled the sheep's-head in form, but very supe- 

 rior to it in flavor. It is much esteemed at Rio, and is rather 

 rare. The great price given for it is an evidence of the high 

 estimation in which it is held. Brunner told me that fifteen 

 or twenty dollars have been paid for one weighing as many 

 pounds. Fish of every kind pay a tithe to government for the 

 support of hospitals. 



Opposite to my officer was seated a fine looking English 

 gentleman, whose shirt bosom was deeply embroidered, and 

 closed with most aristocratic diamond buttons; besides, he 

 wore beautiful cambric ruffles, and a diamond ring on his little 



finger. This was an Attache to Legation. You could 



easily perceive that he was a distinguished man, for he seldom 

 used his fork, but scooped up the morsels with a piece of bread. 

 With the ladies he was an oracle, but not so deeply venerated 

 by my friend Brunner, and I discovered that Dom Bento, once 

 or twice, attempted a joke at his expense. Some one remarked, 

 during dinner, that he had been a month at Rio, and had not 

 yet seen a lady in the street. 



<<That is certainly a very strange fact," said the Attache, 

 <'but, I presume, it is entirely owing to the jealous nature of 

 Brazilian husbands 



Not so," replied a gentleman of a very serious and sarcas- 

 tic manner ; there is a better reason ; they are unwilling to 

 brave the sight of naked negroes, like the English and French 

 ladies here, and shrink from many things that are brought be- 

 fore us in the streets." 



'^But you will not admit this, Mr. L ," said Dom 



Bento. 



" Not he," continued the sarcastic gentleman, '* because he 

 knows very well that there is no jealousy in England, nor vir- 

 tuous, nor chaste, nor modest women, any where else!" 



" I beg your pardon, gentlemen ; though I do not say sweep- 

 ingly that there is not a virtuous woman in France or Brazil, 

 yet I think you will agree with me, that, in a given number, 

 there is a greater proportion of truly virtuous females in Great 

 Britain, than in any other country in the world ; at any rate, 

 they are more sociable, and certainly better educated. " 

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