the extreme, calculated only to please the uncultivated taste of the
negroes and of the lower order of whites. Railways have been formed in
the Brazils, and one runs to Petropolis, a summer resort of the
principal inhabitants. Omnibuses, too, have made their appearance. The
streets are paved with fine blocks of stone, and the city is lighted
with gas; indeed, as our friend observed, "under the liberal government
of the present constitutional emperor the country has made great
material progress. When her literally unbounded resources are
developed, the Brazils cannot fail, unless her constitution is
overthrown, of becoming a wealthy and happy nation. At present, her
wretched parody of the pure religion of Christians, and her lazy,
profligate, and ignorant priests, tend more than anything else to retard
her progress. Vile as they are, they have been unable to prevent the
free circulation of the Scriptures and the toleration of Protestant
opinions."

We were struck by the immense number of negroes who crowd the streets.
Those born in Africa are known by the distinguishing marks of their
tribes on their foreheads. Many of them are free. A negro in Rio may
demand his valuation from a magistrate, and when he can make up the
fixed sum he can purchase his freedom. Slaves are generally treated
kindly by their masters, and as their price is high, on account of the
impediments thrown in the way of the slave trade, their health is
carefully looked after. The porters are all slaves. They pay their
owners so much a day, and keep the rest of what they gain for
themselves. They carry everything on their heads. We sometimes met a
dozen grunting or singing in time, as they stooped under some huge
machine borne aloft above them. They lie about the streets with their
baskets, ready for anybody's call. We thought the Brazilians a very
quiet and most polite people. They were continually bowing to each
other, and there was none of that bustling roughness so often seen in
England. We met the emperor on horseback in plain clothes, though his
attendants were in handsome uniforms. He was a fine intelligent-looking
young man, and is much liked. The Brazilian government is liberal.
Both Houses of Parliament are elected by the people; and if there is a
majority of three-fourths in favour of a measure in the Lower House, the
measure is virtually carried, whatever the vote of the Upper. If the
Senate, or Upper House, do not agree,