WHITE'S JOURNAL OF A 
neral to the army, and a man of ingenuity and abilities in 
his profefTion, to a large public hofpital, a foldier was . 
brought in with a wound in his left iide. The inftrument 
had penetrated the abdomen, without injuring the intef- 
tines ; and from its form and nature the wound mud have 
been inflidled with the point of a knife, or a ftiletto. The 
patient, after being dreffed, acquainted us, that the preced- 
ing night he had had fome words with another man about a 
woman ; who, notwithftanding blows had not pafled, ftab- 
bed him with fome fharp inftrument, of what kind he 
could not fee, as it was then dark, and afterwards made his 
efcape. This account led me to believe that affaflinations 
were not unfrequent in Brazil ; but Mr. II de Fonfo affured 
me to the contrary ; telling me that fuch inftances feldom 
happened, except among the negroes, whofe vindidive and 
treacherous difpofitions led them wonderful lengths to 
gratify their revenge, whenever night and a convenient 
opportunity confpired, at once to aid and to conceal their 
horrid acls. 
While we remained here, the weather being cool and 
favourable, I prevailed on the furgeon who was about to 
amputate a limb, to allow me to take it off according to 
Allenfon's 
