ABORIGINES. 
7 
extending from it to impede their progress through the woods, in case 
they should abscond a second time. Yet, amidst all this misery, it was 
pleasing to observe the many negroes who frequented the churches; 
and to see them, in form and profession at least, making a part of a 
Christian congregation. 
We saw few of the aborigines, for they shun, rather than court their 
rulers. Those we saw were of a low stature, of a coppery red colour, 
with jet black hair, high cheek bones, turned up noses, and broad unex- 
pressive faces. The Queen of a tribe, said to be cannibals, that bor¬ 
dered on the Portuguese possessions, was shown to us. Her countenance 
was terrific. She was a prisoner, and attempts were made to humanize 
her; but hitherto, we were assured, without much success. The pro¬ 
portion of blacks to pure European whites at St. Sebastian, is as nine 
to one: they have, however, so intermarried, that there are complexions 
to be found of all tints, from downright black to dirty whity brown. 
The beautiful environs of Rio di Janeiro have been described so often, 
that it is scarcely necessary to add another description to the number, 
unless, indeed, I had visited them as a botanist or a mineralogist. 
On the 25th September, the Ambassadors took their leave of the 
Prince Regent. We went to the palace at about eight o’clock in the 
evening, and found His Royal Highness just returned from his usual 
drive. We had put ourselves into full costume, but every one else was 
in boots, for there is little or no ceremony preserved in the evening 
audiences. The Prince conversed with the Ambassadors for a consider¬ 
able time, and appeared greatly amused with the sprightliness of the 
Persian, whose easy and unembarrassed manners never forsook him. 
On this occasion, when we were departing from the Prince, and were 
bowing respectfully to His Highness as we retreated before him, the 
Persian, without fear or shame, immediately turned his back, and made 
at once for the door, without once more looking behind him. Such 
little traits as this are worthy of notice, because they help to mark the 
character of his countrymen; for he, who never appears before his own 
King but with great dread and apprehension, and who never even men¬ 
tioned his name but with awe, here presented himself before a Sovereign 
