134 THE BRAZILS. 
their masters ? The horrors attending such a revolution would 
most infallibj not be less enormous than those which dis- 
graced the revolution of St. Domingo. In promoting such 
revolutions I trust England will never be concerned, being 
fully convinced that however much South America might 
gain by a quiet change of masters, she would very soon be 
thrown back into a state of barbarism b}'^ revolutions. 
For the security and convenience of the Indian trade the 
situation of Rio de Janeiro is eminently advantageous, and 
the harbour is well suited for every naval purpose ; and 
though it seems to be capable of an easy defence, yet it 
scarcely can be considered as perfectly secure, unless the 
same power has possession also of the windward port of 
Bahia or St. Salvador to the northward. This port is said 
to afford superior advantages for a naval arsenal and dock- 
yards even to those of Rio. The island of St. Catharine to 
the southward is likewise an important station, so situated 
tliat Rio de la Plata will alwaj^s be entirely at the mercy of 
that power who is in the possession of it. We knoAv little 
more of this island than what the elegant writer of Anson's 
voyage has ,said of it. " The soil of the island is truly lux- 
" uriant, producing fruits of most kinds spontaneously ; and 
the ground is covered over with one continued forest of 
" trees of a perpetual verdure, which, from the exuberance 
" of the soil, are so entangled with briars, thorns, and under- 
" wood, as to form a thicket absolutely impenetrable, except 
" by some narrow footpaths which the inhabitants have made 
" for their own convenience. The woods are extremely 
fragrant, from the many aromatic trees and shrubs with 
