RIO DE JANEIRO. 97 
gold or silver buckles in their shoes and at the knees, set 
with diamonds or Brazilian topazes ; and they are generally 
muffled up in a great cloak in the hottest weather. 
We had few opportunities of judging what was the state of 
society in St. Sebastian, but one may form a tolerable con- 
jecture from what it is in their other settlements. The in- 
habitants are said to go sometimes in small parties to the 
Passeo Publico, where they sup and walk and enjoy them- 
selves with music and fireworks to a late hour of the night ; 
but during our stay we saw nothing of the kind. Balls and 
concerts are said also to be given occasionally at the govern- 
ment house ; but the Viceroy was considered as a close penu- 
\ rious man, who had no other aim than that of amassing a 
princely fortune. There is likewise an opera house, but it 
had been shut up for some time on account of the indisposi- 
tion of the Queen of Portugal. We were, therefore, unlucky 
enough not to see any of their assemblies, or amusements, 
or convivial meetings. They are very indolent, very jealous 
of each other, and very superstitious. The day is divided 
between sleep and ceremony, and mutual distrust is but ill 
suited for the pleasures of social intercourse. In fact, the 
minds of the mass of the people are not sufficiently cultivated 
to feel any relish for them ; for it is a certain truth, as a great 
moralist has observed, that " without intelligence man is not 
" social, he is only gregarious.^' 
As the avowed object, in conquering^ the Brazils, was the 
conversion of the native Indians to the Christian faith, all the 
o 
