190 
THE AMAZON AND RfADEIltA RIVERS. 
I’lie refreshments handed round, chidia and eacha(,‘a toddy arc so 
freely partaken of on all sides that most of the company will long 
for a good rido on the morrow o^'or the frcsli dmvy carnpos ; so, 
wisliing them all a boas noites, we passed under tlie gloomy wooden 
colonnade which supports the verandah of the collegio, whence avo 
got a aIcav of the old church looming in tlie faint starlight, and 
sought repose in our oAvn hammocks. 
Except making a few fechle att('mi)ts at settling the ceaseless 
differences betAA^een tlio Correjidor and the chieftain of the Pueblo, 
and addressing emphatic, injunctions 1o the former as to minding the 
yearly poll-tax of the Indians, and as to providing against their escape 
to Brazilian territory, I do not think the Excellentissimo Senhor 
Pvefecto del Bepartamento had much business to transact AAnth his 
subordinates on the folio AAung day ; and aa^c may Avell suffer him to 
continue in peace his circuit to the other Pueblos. 
I have frequently mentioned the cliicha— the national beverage 
of these countries, the naming of AAdiich instantly brightens the gloomiest 
face and relaxes the severest broAA% It is biit fair that I should give 
some information as to its preparation, though it be at the risk of 
shocking delicate minds. 
In the first place, I have to say that this chicha must not be 
confounded Avith the sour beverage made from apjffes, Avhich Ger- 
stac(;ker encountered among the AraAicanians, and aaIucIi, on due 
consideration, is as much at home on the Ehinc and the Main as in 
the SoAith of Chile. Oh no ! La rmesfra chicha is made of the golden 
grains of Indian corn, which, bruised and moistened, arc broAight to 
a state of fermentation; but it is just this process of bruising and 
moistening Avhieh gives to it its peculiar national distinction, although 
the grinding-stones are to be found AAdrerever human beings are. In 
short, they are no other than the masticatory organs of the ladies — 
in our case, of the Indian ladies. About the time of a festival, on 
passing by the ahvays open doors of the cottages, you are sure to 
find three or four Avomeu (not alAAuys of the youngest or prettie.st) 
want of funds, lie urged tlie Q-overnment to a more liberal dispensation of baronetcies, 
and, in the interest of the Asylum, to bestoAV them rather on open hands than on 
astute heads ; and that, in consequence of it, the contributions camo in so plentifully 
“ que nao tinha maos a medir,” that is, that he had not hands enough to relieve them 
all, as every cotfee-planter, and slave or carne-seca dealer who had amassed wealth, was 
anxious to contribute Ids ndto — to the Lunatic Asylum. 
I 
