1851.] 
BAD NEWS. 
323 
that my friend Mr. Spruce was in the city, being a pri- 
soner there, as I had been at Guia, for want of men. 
He occupied a house, made classic to the Naturalist by 
having been the abode of Dr. Natterer, where he kindly 
accommodated me during my stay, which I intended 
should be as short as possible. 
Bad news was waiting for me from Para. Letters, 
dated more than three months back, from my corre- 
spondent, Mr. Miller, informed me of the dangerous ill- 
ness of my brother, who had been attacked by yellow 
fever ; and when the canoe left, which brought the letter, 
was exhibiting such symptoms as left little hope of his 
recovery. The only additional information brought since, 
was that the “ Princess Victoria,” with a valuable cargo, 
had been lost entering Para ; and that the consequent 
excitement and anxiety of Mr. Miller, had led to an at- 
tack of brain fever, which had terminated in his death. 
Prom no one could I obtain a word of information about 
my brother, and so remained in a state of the greatest 
suspense. Had he recovered, he would himself, of course, 
have written ; but, on the other hand, it was strange that 
none of the English residents in Para had sent me a 
line to inform me of his death, had it occurred. 
I was a fortnight in Barra, busily occupied buying and 
selling, and arranging and packing my miscellaneous col- 
lections. I had to make insect-boxes and packing-cases, 
the only carpenter in the place having taken it into his 
head to leave a good business, and, like everybody else, 
go trading about the rivers. 
In the evening, and at all spare moments, we luxuri- 
ated in the enjoyments of rational conversation, — to me, 
y 2 
