Chapter IX: MATOGROSO, or MATTO-GROSSO,

Is the most western part of the Portugueze possessions, and is bounded by the Chiquites and the Moxos. These people are submitted to the Spanish yoke, through the indefatigable labours of the Jesuits acting as missionaries in that part of the world.

POPULATION.

2,035 Whites;--7,351 Slaves;--4,335 Indians.

PRINCIPAL TOWN.

The capital of Matogroso, called Villa-Bella, is merely a large village.

COMMERCE.

In 1735, mines were discovered in the government of Matogroso, in _St. Vincent's Chapada_, _St. Anne's Cuiada_, _and in Araes_.

OBSERVATIONS.

It is worthy of remark, that the extraction of gold in the New World is neither dangerous nor laborious, since the purest, finest kind is frequently found near the surface of the earth. They often dig for it three or four fathoms, but seldom, if ever, deeper; since when the miners meet with a bed of sandy earth, they know it to be unnecessary labour to search to a greater depth. The veins which run the most regular, and in the same direction, are the richest; yet, it has been remarked, that those which yielded the greatest quantity of gold are usually in spaces where the surface is the most spangled with crystals. Larger pieces are found in mountains and stony barren rocks than either in vallies or on the banks of rivers; but, from whatever place it be taken, it is of three and twenty carats and a half in its pure state, on coming out of the mine, except indeed, it should happen to be mixed with iron, silver, mercury, or sulphur, which, however, is seldom the case, unless at Araés or Gojas. Every person on discovering a mine is bound to declare it to government. Should the vein be found to be trifling, on being examined by those appointed to estimate its value, it becomes the property of the public; but should it prove a rich one, the revenue officers take care to reserve one share for themselves, whilst another is given to the commandant, a third to the intendant, two more to the original discoverer of the mine, and the remainder to the miners of the district. This latter part is divided according to the different fortunes of these people, which is determined by the number of slaves they possess. The miners are obliged to pay the king of Portugal a fifth part of the net profit arising from the gold extracted, which formerly amounted to a considerable sum; and even now produces on an average 300,000l. sterling, annually. In 1781, the whole of the metals, whether coined or in bars, in circulation at Brazil, were not estimated at quite a million sterling, and what is still more remarkable, there was not more than a third of the above sum in circulation in Portugal in 1752[51] and 1754, and even that was in alloyed silver money.

THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OF

BRAZIL.

_Quadrupeds used as Food._[52]

_Tapiierete_, the (P. 101, M. 229), is nearly the size of a heifer aged six months, but is without horns. The flesh resembles in taste that of an ox. The Brazilians dress it in the same manner as the Buccaneers arrange their meat or fish.

_Cuquaçu-Eté_ (P. 98). This animal is a kind of stag, called by _Léry_ an _Ass-cow_. It is less than the European stag, has shorter horns, and the hair about the length of a goat's.

_Tajaçu_ (P. 89, M. 229), is the wild boar of the country; he has an opening on his back, through which he breathes; in other respects he is like the European boar. The cry which he makes through his extraordinary orifice is (according to an author, who _certainly_ never heard it) most dreadful.

_Aguti_, or _Acuti_ (P. 102), is a red-haired animal about the size of a pig a month old. The flesh is very good to eat. There is another species of the same animal, called _Tapeti_.

_Rat._ The woods abound with a kind of rat of the size of a squirrel, its flesh is very delicate.

_Paca_ (P. 101, M. 224). This animal is as large as a middle-sized dog. The flesh tastes like veal.

_Jacaré_ (P. 282, M. 242). A small species of _Cayman_. The Brazilians are particularly fond of eating them.

_Teiuguacu_, or _Teju_ (P. 283, M. 273). A grey lizard, four or five feet long. _Léry_, who has eaten them, says, that when properly dressed, they are as tender, as white, and have as good a taste as the wing of a capon.

It is necessary to observe that the Brazilians not only eat lizards, and some kind of serpents, but also large toads, broiled in the Buccaneer fashion, with the heads and entrails.

_Domestic Fowls used as Food._

_Turkeys._ The Brazilians bred them formerly more for their feathers, particularly the white ones, than for the purpose of eating them. They reproached the Europeans with gluttony for eating their eggs.

_Ducks_, of which there are various species; but the Brazilians never eat them, from an idea that the slow manner of walking of these birds, might make those who fed upon them heavy, and unable to run with a proper degree of activity. For the same reason they refrained from eating all animals which moved slowly; and even some sorts of fish, particularly the skate, which does not swim so fast as others.

_Nota._ European fowls, transported to the Brazils, live very well in that climate, though growing larger than in their own country, their taste gets less delicate; on the contrary, geese and ducks become still finer.

_Wild Fowl used as Food._

_Jacupema_ (P. 81, M. 198). A species of pheasant, of which there are three kinds. The plumage of every one of these birds is black and grey; the only difference between them is in the size. The Brazilians declare that it is impossible for any country to produce any thing more delicate than the flesh of these birds.

_Mutu-Mitu_ (P. 80, M. 194) is excellent to eat, but not so common as the _Jacupema_. M. le comte de Buffon classes it amongst the _Hocco_.

_Jambu_, (P. 81. M. 192). A species of partridge as large as our geese.

_Mangouris_, _Pegassous_, _Pecacaous_ (_Hist. Gen. Voy._). These three birds may be also classed amongst the partridges. They are of different sizes; the first is the size of a common partridge, the second of a wood-pigeon, and the third of a turtle dove.

_Fish used as Food._

_Manatus_ (_Hist. Gen. Voy._), is particularly good in Brazil.

_Skate_. Those in the rivers _Janeiro_ and _Marevescona_, which Thévet names _Inevouana_, are of a much larger size than ours. The entrails are equally good with the rest of the fish.

_Acarapeba_ (P. 69 and 161) is a large flat fish, which _Léry_ declares to be wonderfully delicate and fine. He gives it the name of _Acarapep_.

_Beyupira_ or _Ceixupira_ (P. 48, M. 158). The Europeans compare this fish to the sturgeon. It is in high estimation in Brazil. It is said to be fat and in season all the year.

_Boopes_ (_His. Gen. Voy._). This name has been given to it by the Portugueze, because its eyes are like those of an ox. The size and shape are not very different from those of the tunny fish; but the taste is not the same, and it is of a much fatter nature; its grease affording a kind of oil or butter.

_Camaripuguaçu_ or _Camarupi_ (P. 65, M. 179). This fish is much esteemed: its body is full of thorns, and it is so large that two men can scarcely lift it.

_Piraumbu_ (P. 70, M. 167) is very much the same kind of fish as the _Carpio_, but the taste is better. There are two stones in the jaws, which it employs for breaking the shells which serve it for food.

_Amayaen_ (_His. Gen. Voy._) is a kind of sea frog, with a short body of various colours. It is very good to eat, but it must be first carefully skinned, and cleared of a poison which lies under the skin. There are two other species of Amayaens, one of which is armed with thorns, and though much more venomous than the former, is equally eaten. The other is called by the Brazilians _Itaëca_. It is of a triangular form; and contains poison not only in the skin, but in the liver and intestines: this, however, does not make it more dangerous when once the venomous parts are extracted.

_Nota._ All the fish on the coast of Brazil is reputed so wholesome, that it is given to people in fevers as a remedy. At all events it may always be eaten without danger to the sick person. Sharks, however must be excepted; of which there are great numbers in this sea, and even in the rivers.

The coast of Brazil abounds also in shellfish, amongst which the _Apula_ is particularly esteemed. (_Hist. Gen. Voy._)

There are several kinds of crayfish, the most esteemed of which is the _Uca_. It is the principal food of the Portugueze and negroes, who find it very good and wholesome, if they drink cold water after eating it.

_Plants and Vegetables used as Food._

_Mangaiba_ (P. 156, M. 76 and 122). A very large tree, which seldom grows any where but in the environs of _Todos-Santos_ bay. This fruit is eaten at two different epochs in the year: first when it is only in bud, and afterwards when the fruit is come to perfection. It contains stones, the kernels of which are good to eat. The flavour of this fruit is delightful, and it is so wholesome, that it may be eaten in the greatest abundance without danger. It falls from the tree before it is ripe, consequently it is necessary to keep it till it is sufficiently sweet to be eaten. The Brazilians make a kind of wine of it; and they extract a bitter, viscous, milky liquor from the leaves, and the fruit before it is ripe.

_Murucuja_ (P. 274, M. 106 and 70) resembles the wild pear-tree. The fruit is gathered green, but becomes excellent as it ripens, and easy of digestion. Incisions being made in the trunk of this tree, it yields a milky liquor, which, when once coagulated, becomes of a consistance like wax.

_Araca-Iba_ (P. 152, M. 74 and 105). A species of pear-tree, which bears abundantly at all seasons in the year. There are several kinds of this tree, the fruit of which is red, green, and yellow, and of an excellent flavour.

_Umbu_ (P. 167). A short thick tree, bearing a round fruit of a yellowish hue, and very like our white plumb, with this difference, that it is so injurious to the teeth, that the savages, who eat great quantities of it, soon become toothless. The root is sweet, wholesome, and refreshing.

_Jaçapucaya_ (P. 135, M. 128). The fruit of this tree, when eaten raw, is said to cause baldness; but if roasted it is no longer dangerous.

_Araticu_ (P. 141, M. 93). This tree bears a fruit of the size of a walnut, and is as pleasant to the smell as to the taste. There are several species of this tree, amongst which the one called _Aratieupanauia_ bears a fruit of so very cold a nature, that, eaten to excess, it has all the effect of poison.

_Poupekia_ (P. 141). There are two species of this tree, one bears a fruit like an orange, the juice of which is like honey, and as sweet as sugar: it also contains some seeds. The other species, called by the Portugueze _Setis_, is esteemed the hardest wood in Brazil, and regarded as incorruptible.

_Cabureiba_ (P. 119, M. 56) is an extremely large tree, very common in the ancient captaincies of St. Vincent, and exceedingly scarce elsewhere. The balm which distils from it is excellent.

_Pines._ In the interior parts of Brazil, beyond St. Vincent's and towards Paraguay, are forests entirely of pines, bearing a fruit resembling those in Europe, only rounder, larger, and more wholesome.

_Nota._--There is no country where roots and vegetables are more plentiful than in Brazil. Beans in that part of the world are more wholesome than in Portugal; in short, every thing the Portugueze have transplanted to Brazil have succeeded remarkably well. A particular species of yucca-root grows in that country, called _Aypi_; it may be eaten raw with impunity. The Brazilians make use of the common yucca-root in two ways; the one boiled till it becomes hard is called _Ouïenta_, and the other less boiled, consequently softer, _Ouipou_.

Brazil may be justly regarded as the mother country of pine apples, which grow in such abundance, that the savages fatten their hogs with that delicious fruit, which in that country is distinguished by three particular qualities; _first_, the rind is so hard that it absolutely blunts the edge of a knife: _secondly_, the juice is used as a kind of soap to take spots out of cloths: _thirdly_, the fruit itself is regarded as a preservative against sea-sickness.

_Clusius_ makes mention of twelve different kinds of pepper, the produce of Brazil. In short, _Léry_ remarks, that Brazil produces very few animals similar to those in Europe: nor does it, indeed, any plants of the same nature; except purslane, sweet basil, and heath, which grow in some spots exactly in the same manner, and in the same shape, and with the same qualities, as in Europe.

_Medicinal Plants._

_Copaiba_ (P. 118, M. 56) resembles a fig-tree, only straighter, thicker, and of a greater height. It contains a very great quantity of oil, as clear as that produced from the olive-tree. This oil requires only a very slight incision to procure great abundance: it is said not only to cure wounds, but to prevent them from leaving scars.

_Ambayba_ (P. 147, M. 91) resembles also the fig-tree, and the interior pellicle, under the rind, is said to be as efficacious in the speedy cure of wounds, as the most celebrated balsam. The leaves of this tree are of so hard a nature, that they are employed for polishing the hardest wood.

_Ambaygtinga_ (P. 148, M. 92). This tree is of the same species as the former one, and grows in the above-mentioned pine forests. It bears on the top a kind of small bladder, which, on bursting, distils, drop by drop, an admirable liquor, which has all the qualities of balsam, and is employed for closing wounds, curing scrofulous humours, and pains in the stomach; for the latter complaint it is taken mixed with a little wine.

_Ighucamici_ (_Hist. Gen. Voy._) grows abundantly in the environs of St. Vincent, and bears a fruit like a quince, but filled with seeds, which is a powerful remedy for a dysentery.

_Icicariba_ (P. 122, M. 59). This tree produces a sort of mastick of an excellent smell. On beating the rind in a mortar, a white liquor issues from it, which, when condensed, is employed as incense, and is found to be an efficacious application for any part of the body affected with the king's evil.

_Cururu-Ape_ (P. 250, M. 114). The leaves are like those of the peach-tree, and produce a whitish liquor, regarded as a sovereign remedy for wounds and pimples.

_Caaroba_ (P. 143, M. 70). The wood of this tree, which is very common in Brazil, is reputed to possess the same virtue as Guiacum wood, for the cure of a particular disorder.

_Jaborandi_ (P. 215, M. 97). This tree is also called by the Brazilians _Bétélé_, and generally grows on the banks of a river; the leaves are a specific remedy in liver complaints. Another species of Bétélé, less than the former, and with round leaves, possesses the same virture in the root; which is as great a caustic as ginger, and when applied to the gums, removes any complaint in that part.

_Anda_ (P. 148, M. 110). The Americans extract an oil from this great tree, with which they rub themselves. Water in which the rind has been soaked for some days, acts as a soporific on any kind of animal.

_Ajuratibira_ (_Hist. Gen. Voy._) is merely a shrub, bearing a red fruit, from which the Brazilians extract an oil of the same colour, with which they likewise anoint themselves.

_Janipaba_ (P. 138, M. 92) is one of the most beautiful trees in Brazil, and of the finest green; it changes its leaves every three months, and bears a fruit resembling an orange, but tasting like a quince, and is esteemed an excellent remedy for the dysentery.

_Caapeba_ (P. 261, M. 94) is a plant, which is an almost certain cure for the bite of all venomous animals, particularly for that of a serpent; and is usually termed the _serpent plant_. The root, or rather the knot which divides it, is supposed to possess this virtue: the knot is bruised and taken in water; and is likewise thought an excellent specific for the wounds caused by poisonous arrows.

_Gobaura_ (_Hist. Gen. Voy._). This plant when reduced to powder, and applied to the most inveterate ulcers, dries them up, and makes them skin over.

_Guaraquima_ (_Hist. Gen. Voy._) resembles the Portugueze myrtle. It possesses several virtues, particularly that of curing worms; and requires no other preparation than making choice of the best leaves.

_Tyroqui_, or _Tiroqui_, or _Tereroqui_ (_Hist. Gen. Voy._). This plant has leaves like the cinqfoil, and the root divided into several cods, with very slender branches. It grows abundantly every where, and its principal virtue is curing dysenteries. The Brazilians inhale the smoke of this plant in all their different complaints, and it is thought an efficacious remedy for worms; a very common malady in that country.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE DIAMONDS OF BRAZIL.[53]

_Principal Districts wherein Diamonds are found._

The province of Brazil, which produces diamonds, is situated inland, between 22-1/2 and 16 degrees of south latitude. Its circumference is near 670 leagues. On the east it is limited by the captaincy or province of Rio Janeiro; on the south by that of St. Paul; on the north by the _Sertoens_, or interior part of the maritime province of the Bay of All Saints, and part of that of the mines of Goyarel; on the west, lastly, by another part of the last-mentioned province, and by those deserts and forests which are inhabited by the savages, and extend to the frontiers of Paraguay. On the side nearest St. Paul there are vast uncultivated plains; the interior is divided by chains of mountains and hills, with superb vallies and luxuriant fertile plains. It abounds with wood, and is watered by a great number of rivers and brooks, that facilitate the working of the mines of gold, which is obtained by washing in spangles from the river sands, or in veins open to the day. This province is divided into four _comarcas_ or districts, which, reckoning from north to south, are, _Santo Joao del Rei_, _Villa-Rica_, _Sabara_, and _Sero-Dosrio_, or Cold Mountain, called in the language of the savages _Yritauray_. The diamonds are found in this last district. The whole province is very rich in the ores of iron, antimony, zinc, tin, silver, and gold.

There are also diamond mines in the other districts of Brazil; particularly in Cuiaba, in the country of Guara-Puara, and in the government of St. Paul; but these mines have never yet been explored.[54]

_Discovery of the Mines._

The Paulists and inhabitants of the ancient captaincy of St. Vincent were the first who discovered these mines, and peopled, in great part, the whole of this rich province, as well as those of _Matto-Grosso_, _Cuiahe_, _Goyares_, and _Rio Grande de San Pedro_. Anthonio Soary, a Paulist, who gave his name to one of these mountains, was the first who discovered and visited the _Sero-Dosrio_. Gold only was sought for, but at last diamonds were discovered in the _Riacho Fundo_, whence they were first obtained, and afterwards in the _Rio de Peire_; a great number were likewise obtained from the _Giguitignogna_, a very rich stream; and, lastly, in the end of 1780, and beginning of 1781, a gang of nearly three thousand interlopers, called _Grimpeiros_, discovered diamonds, and obtained an immense quantity from the _Terra de Santo Antonio_; but they were forced to abandon this spot to the royal farm, who took possession of it. Then it was that the suspicion was confirmed, that the mountains are the true _matrices_ of diamonds; but as the work in the beds of rivers and on their banks is less tedious, can be conducted on a larger scale, and affords larger diamonds, the farm abandoned the mountains, and formed great establishments in the river of _Toucanbirnen_, which flows through the valleys of this chain, and is near ninety leagues in length. It was found by examination and digging, that the whole surface of the ground, immediately beneath the vegetable stratum, contained more or less of diamonds, disseminated and attached to a matrix ferruginous and compact in various degrees, but never in veins, or in the division of geodes.

_Figure of the Diamonds, and manner of exploring them._

The figure of the diamonds of Brazil varies. Some are octoedrical, formed by the union of two tetraedrical pyramids. This is the _Adamas octoëdrus turbinatus_ of Wallerius, or the octoedrical diamond of Romé de l'Isle. These are almost always found in the crust of the mountains; others are nearly round, whether by a peculiar crystallization or by rolling. They resemble those Oriental stones, which the Portugueze and natives of India call _reboludos_, which signifies rolled. Lastly, others are oblong, and appear to me to be the _Adamas hexaëdrus tabellatus_ of Wallerius. The two last are usually found in the beds of rivers and broken places in their banks.

Diamonds are also found, as I have remarked, in the crust or external covering of mountains. These masses are formed of a bed of ferruginous sand, with rolled flints, forming an ochreous pudding-stone, from the decomposition of emery and muddy iron-ore; it is called _cascalho_, and the beds, or strata, _taboleiros_. These _taboleiros_ have different names, according to their situation or their nature. When the stratum is horizontal, and in the plane of the bed of the river, it is properly called a _taboleiro_; but if it rises in banks, it is called _gopiara_: lastly, if the pudding-stone contains much emery, it is then denominated _tabanhua cauga_ in Brazilian, that is to say, black-stone or iron-stone.

In some places the _cascalho_ is uncovered, in others, it lies beneath a kind of vegetable muddy earth, _humus damascena_, _Linn_, or beneath a reddish fat sand, which sometimes contains roundish flints. This happens in the returns of the mountains, or upon the banks of great torrents. This sand is called _pisarra_. The bank, or stratum beneath the _cascalho_, is either shistus, rather sandy, or the solid bog-ore of iron. It is likewise in the _cascalho_ that gold in spangles and in pyrites is found; the former of which is, in my opinion, afforded by the decomposition of the auriferous pyrites; for the gold in veins has another form, and its matrix is either fat quartz, or fine grained tender _cos_, micaceous gneis, or the quartzose ore of iron, _tophus ferreus_. Linn.

The exploring of diamonds is performed by changing the beds of streams, in order that the sand or gravel may be washed, and the diamonds selected; or by breaking the _cascalho_ with large hammers, and afterwards washing it in troughs. This washing differs from that of gold, because it requires a small quantity of very clear water, and very little of the _cascalho_ at a time; proportions, which are precisely contrary to those required in washing gold. Black slaves are employed in this business, entirely naked, excepting a cloth round their middle, in order that they may not embezzle any of the diamonds; but in spite of every precaution, and the vigilance of numerous inspectors, they nevertheless find means of concealing them, which they sell at a very low price, to the interlopers, for tobacco and rum.

_An estimate of the Sums produced to the Portugueze Government from the Brazil Diamonds._

The diamond mines in Brazil, have at different times brought in different sums to the Portugueze government. Towards the middle of the last century such great quantities of the Brazil diamonds came to Europe; that the value of diamonds of every description was so much decreased, that the London jewellers refused to buy them at any price. The author of the _Treatise on Diamonds_ seems to doubt the existence of the diamond mines in Brazil, and to believe that the great profusion of those stones sold by the Portugueze in the different markets of Europe, were not the produce of their American, but Asiatic colonies. It will be easy to judge of the amount of the profit arising to the Portugueze government, during several years, from the sale of these diamonds, by the following statement. At the epoch of the dreadful earthquake in Lisbon; some English merchants had a contract with those Portugueze who had the direct management of the diamond mines in Brazil, to pay them 120,000l. sterling. The principal conditions of the above contract (according to the account given me by an English gentleman who signed it) were as follows:--the Portugueze directors engaged to secure to the English merchants the exclusive sale of the Brazil diamonds; the latter engaged on their part to take 40,000 carats of rough diamonds, for which they were to pay at the rate of 3l. a carat; making the sum total of 120,000l. sterling. An agreement was also made relative to the purchase and choice of the diamonds. On the cases which contained them being brought from Brazil, they were not to be opened but in presence of the English merchants, which being done, the diamonds were spread on a large table; and a person skilled in precious stones being appointed by the said merchants, he made choice of the most valuable diamonds, excepting those above twenty carats (very few in number), which were reserved for the crown of Portugal. The original contractors being succeeded by others, the price was reduced to 2l. 1s. 8d. sterling a carat; but for some time past this branch of trade has been taken out of the hands of the English, and is in the exclusive possession of the king. The exact sum resulting from this new arrangement is not known, but we have reason to believe it amounts on an average to about 60,000l. sterling, annully.

_An Estimate of the Value of Brazil Diamonds_, &c.

The white diamonds of Brazil when they weigh only from four to five carats, are of equal value with the Oriental ones of the same weight; but when of a larger size, the latter are much more esteemed, on account of the fineness of the water.

The Brazil topaz is esteemed the most valuable next to the Oriental one: it is of a fine yellow, with an orange tint, and takes a very good polish. This topaz, weighing only one carat, is valued, if perfect, at six French livres (5s.), and encreases in value according to its weight, which is determined by the following calculation, as made for the Oriental topaz. Mr. Dutens esteems the Oriental topaz, when perfect, at sixteen French livres (13s. 4d.) the first carat. To know the value of one weighing three or four carats, it is requisite to multiply the one by the other, and to multiply the product by 16; the same rules to be observed for topazes of a greater weight; so that an Oriental and perfect topaz, valued at sixteen livres (13s. 4d.) the first carat, weighing sixteen grains, or four carats, would be worth two hundred and fifty-six French livres (10l. 13s. 4d.), whilst a Brazil topaz weighing likewise four carats, would be only worth ninety-six French livres[55] (4l.). There is also another sort of topaz in Brazil, of a very particular nature: it is of a very variable and extraordinary hue, and, being put into a small crucible, filled with ashes, on a slow fire, and taken off when the crucible becomes red, loses its yellow orange colour, and changes to that of the real Balas ruby, the tinge of which is generally beautiful. This topaz is frequently of a dark, smoky, dirty yellow, and was very little esteemed till a jeweller by chance discovered the abovementioned process, which was kept a profound secret, till Mr. Dumelle, goldsmith and working jeweller, disclosed it to the Academy of Sciences of Paris, by the means of Mr. Guettard.[56] Many people are of opinion, that the rubies at present brought from Brazil are merely topazes, which have undergone the said operation. The fine crystallization of the Oriental ruby is octoedrical equally with the diamond. That of Brazil crystallizes in prismes, of unequal planes, terminating in pyramids, there are likewise other rubies of a rounder form, owing to their having been rolled in the water. This stone is supposed to take its red colour from iron. The most esteemed rubies come from the island of Ceylon, and are thought more valuable than even those from Pegu. The _rubacelle_, or small ruby, very common in Brazil, is of a pale red, with a yellow cast; and is the cheapest and least esteemed of any stones of that description; they, however, take a very good polish; and the most perfect amongst them are sometimes passed off for _Balas_ rubies. This last stone may be estimated at thirty French livres (1l. 5s.) one carat; those of two carats at sixty French livres (2l. 10s.), those of three carats at ninety livres (3l. 15s.), and those of four carats at one hundred and twenty livres (5l.), &c.

The mines of Brazil also produce emeralds, which are _striated_, and terminate in an obtuse pyramid. They are found in oblong prismes of 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12 unequal planes; they are of a dark green colour, with a brownish tinge, and of a very fine water. A fine emerald, weighing a carat and a half, may be estimated at 5l. sterling: those of two carats at 10l. sterling; but over and above this weight, the value of the emerald does not augment in proportion to its size, and even those of the largest kind, if perfect, are still subject to an arbitrary valuation.

Brazil produces two sorts of chrysolites; the one nearly resembles in colour the stone called by the French jewellers Oriental _Peridot_,[57] except that it is a little darker, and mixed with yellow; this chrysolite being not so hard as the _peridot_, the polish is not quite so brilliant. The other Brazil chrysolite is straw coloured, with a tinge of beautiful green, producing a very fine effect: it is extremely hard, and takes an excellent polish. These chrysolites, when of an apple green, or straw colour with a greenish hue, may be estimated at 1l. sterling the carat: 2l. sterling those of two carats; 3l. sterling those of three carats; and so on, always at the rate of 1l. the carat.

NOTE.

Since this Work has been in the Press, Mr. Grant's History of Brazil has been published; and I have much pleasure in remarking, that his account of the Civil Government, and situation of the Country, is frequently drawn from the same sources as my own. I flatter myself this truly estimable author will pardon my taking notice of an error which has crept into his Work relative to Villegagnon, whom he mentions in the 42d page of his History as having retired (after his return from Brazil) into a monastery of his own order, and spent the remainder of his life in writing against the protestants.[58] The fact is, that there were never any monasteries for men in the order of Malta, and that Villegagnon, soon after he came back from his expedition, was named ambassador from his order to Paris, which post he occupied from 1568 to 1570, when he quitted his embassy on account of ill-health, and died on the 9th of February (and not in the month of December, as said by _Léry_), 1571, at his commandery of Beauvais.

FINIS.

R. Juigné, Printer, 17, Margaret-st. Cavendish-sq.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Preface to l'Etat du Portugal, page 17.

[2] Etat du Portugal, p. 267.

[3] In the 37th volume of the philosophical transactions, No. 421, pages 199 and 201, there is a letter concerning diamonds, lately found in Brazil, by _Jacob de Castro Sarmento_.

[4] The dominions of Spain are denominated Old and New Spain.

[5] Theodore Godefroy, in his treaty on the origin of the kings of Portugal.

[6] There is a vulgar tradition relative to don Sebastian, whom some Portugueze believe to be still alive. This gave rise to lord Tyrawley's laughable speech of "what can one possibly do with a nation, one half of which expect the Messiah, and the other half their king, don Sebastian, who has been dead two hundred years?" This tradition also caused another piece of pleasantry, which was attended by very dreadful consequences. The queen of Portugal, standing at the window, attended by her court, perceived a great water-spout rise in the air. "Ah!" laughingly exclaimed she, "here is the king, don Sebastian, returned amongst us." "That cannot be, madam," replied the counte d'Obydos, one of the first noblemen in Portugal, "since don Sebastian reigns over us at present;" alluding to don Sebastian Carvalho, the prime minister. Two hours after this ill-timed jest, the counte was imprisoned in the dungeon of St. Julian's tower.--(_See Dumouriez, Etat du Portugal._)

[7] The Dutch and Catalonians.

[8] The first assembly took place on the 12th of October, in the garden of Antonio d'Almada. The archbishop of Lisbon was not present at the opening of it, and the conspiracy was in a state of great forwardness before he made his appearance. Vertot is not always very accurate in his account of these different assemblies.

[9] d'Acugna.

[10] Don Sebastian de Mattos de Norogna.

[11] Connestagio.

[12] The conspiracy once formed, there was never any question of a republican government, nor of bestowing the crown on any other than the duke of Braganza.

[13] Cardinal de Richelieu.

[14] _Ad hæc politicas artes, bonos et malos regiminis dolos, dominationis arcana, humani latibula ingenii non modò intelligere mulier, sed et pertractare quoque ac provehere; tam naturâ quam disciplinâ mirificè instructa fuit._ Caetan. Passar. de Bello Lusitan.

[15] Some authors say this question was asked by Paes, the duke's secretary.

[16] Sousa de Maceda mentions Almada as the preserver of the archbishop.

[17] Don Juan da Costa.

[18] Donna Maria de Lancastro spoke to the same purpose, though in still stronger language, to her two sons, don Ferdinand Teller, and Antonio Teller de Silva: "Go forth, my sons, go forth and fight for your country; and be assured, that did not the weakness of my sex prevent me, I would myself accompany you to the place of action, and either conquer or perish in so glorious a cause."

[19] Corregedor do Civel.

[20] The king, kneeling down, took the coronation oath, in the following terms:--

"I here promise and make oath, to rule and govern this kingdom, and to administer justice to the utmost of my power, with prudence, wisdom, and moderation; and to maintain the usages, customs, privileges, and rights of the nation, as they were granted and confirmed by the kings my predecessors, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost!"

The three estates, composed of the nobility, clergy, and people, then took the oath of allegiance. This ceremony was commenced by the archbishop of Lisbon:--

"I swear," said he, placing his hand on the new testament, "that I receive and acknowledge for my true and lawful lord and sovereign, the high, mighty, and great king, don John the IVth, to whom I pay homage as such, in the name of the whole body of the clergy." The other members of the assembly took the same oath.

[21] The king and the three estates took the same oath as had before been taken at the coronation; and the states-general acknowledged don Theodosius, the son of the duke of Braganza, as prince of Portugal, and lawful successor to the crown.

[22] Mello, whom the king of Portugal sent into France on this occasion, was witty and intelligent; and speaking to the queen of France, the sister of Philip the IVth, he expressed his fear that his embassy must be painful to her majesty, since it tended to deprive the king her brother of a kingdom: to which the queen replied, "It is indeed a truth that I am the sister of his catholic majesty; but am I not at the same time the mother of the dauphin?"

The queen, conversing afterwards with different noblemen who accompanied the ambassador, in the Castilian tongue, Mello took the liberty of asking why she had not addressed him in the same language? "From the fear of giving you pain," answered the queen. "That would have been the case," replied Mello, "had I regarded you as a Castilian, but as a great queen the effect would have been different."

[23] Olivares was perfectly well acquainted with this _Baëse_, who having been extremely serviceable to him on different occasions, he had invested him with the honourable order of Christ. The Portugueze nobility, offended at seeing the order so degraded, could not help observing, "that the duke ought either to raise him still higher, or condemn him to the gallows."

[24] John the IVth was of the middle size, but not very well shaped. His hair was light, his eyes sparkling, his complexion ruddy and animated, and his countenance particularly pleasing. He was surnamed the _fortunate_, but he scarcely ever appeared at the head of his army; it may therefore be said of him, as Edward the IIId of England said of the French king Charles the Vth, sirnamed the wise, "that no monarch ever appeared so seldom in arms, or gained so many victories."

[25] Her _Welch_ uncle, _i. e._ her father's or mother's first cousin.

[26] See Memoirs of Fremont d' Ablancourt.

[27] Memoirs of Fremont d'Ablancourt.

[28] This event was not quite believed to be the effect of chance.

[29] At Cintra, on the 12th of September.

[30] Mr. Ferrand. See Esprit de l'Histoire, tom. IV. p. 181.

[31] L'Art de vérifier les dates.

[32] Henry, marquis de Ruvigny, who acted as general agent to the protestant nobility in France, went to England on the revocation of the edict of Nantes, where he was naturalized, and was made earl of Galway, which title he bore ever afterwards.

James Fitzjames, duke of Berwick, was the natural son of king James the IId, by Arabella Churchill, the sister of the famous duke of Marlborough. Montesquieu observes, that the family of Churchill produced two men, one of whom was destined to _shake_, and the other to _support_, at the same time, the two greatest monarchies in Europe.

[33] This defeat was partly attributed to the marquis de Frontera and lord Galway, having refused to admit the French refugees as officers in the Portugueze regiments, which obliged them to have recourse to foreign officers, for the regiments of cavalry and dragoons, which had been newly levied, to recruit the great losses sustained by the army.

[34] This reply calls to remembrance the noble answer made by the cardinal de Fleury, (when bishop of Fréjus) to the duke of Savoy, who having passed the Var, at the head of a considerable army, entered Provence, and tried to induce the bishop to swear allegiance to him.

"Your royal highness," said he, "must be convinced that I shall never fail in my duty to Louis the Great, my lawful, and only sovereign; besides it is scarcely worth the pains to acknowledge your royal highness, for the very short time you will remain in Provence."

This proof of attachment being represented to Louis the XIVth, laid the foundation of M. de Fleury's future grandeur.

[35] He, however, took care to place a great collection of books in this convent; but Mafra being four leagues from Lisbon, this library could be but of little advantage to that city.

[36] Quien de la Neufville, author of a well-written history of Portugal, being at that time at Lisbon in the suite of the abbé Mornay, ambassador from France, was consulted on this occasion by his majesty.

[37] Dumourier's Etat de Portugal.

[38] See Dumourier's Etat de Portugal.

[39] See Dumourier.

[40] In justification of so great an act of severity, the minister published a work, entitled, _A summary Account of the Conduct and late Actions of the Jesuits in Paraguay; and their Intrigues in the Court of Lisbon_.

[41] The minister having strictly examined into the state of the manufactories, found wanting more than twenty very necessary ones. Those he afterwards established, of cotton, silk, and glass, occasioned the most violent disputes between the courts of London and Lisbon. See the administration of the marquis de Pombal, vols. 2 and 3.

[42] This affair, we well know, has been differently related; but we prefer following the example of the author of _L'Etat de Portugal_, and giving the same account of this transaction, which was transmitted by Monsieur Favier to the court of France.

[43] A house of public entertainment, belonging to the foreign merchants, who that evening gave a ball in honour of the marriage of the prime minister's daughter.

[44] These were the terms employed in the warrant for securing their persons. See _administration of the marquis de Pombal_.

[45] He was condemned as author of two books, the production of a disordered imagination, which he wrote in the royal prison. The first, in Portugueze, was entitled, _The Heroic and admirable Life of the glorious St. Anne_; and the second, written in Latin, was called, _Tractatus de vitâ et imperio Antichristi_.

[46] The royal edict for the banishment of the Jesuites is dated on the 3d of September, 1759.

[47] Those who wish to be more particularly informed of the military operations of this campaign, and the reforms made by the German prince, count de la Lippe, may consult _L'Etat du Portugal_, _by Dumourier_.

[48] The king having no male issue, the infanta Mary Frances Elizabeth, his eldest daughter, born on the 17th of September, 1734, became, according to the fundamental laws of the kingdom, heir to the crown. Several foreign princes wished to obtain her hand; but the king, desirous of pleasing his people, bestowed her on his brother, don Pedro. See _l'art de vérifier les dates_.

[49] The marquis de Pombal was on the point of going to London, where a house was already prepared for him; but the queen objected to his departure, and promised to protect him against the power of his enemies. On his death she bestowed all his titles and possessions on his son, together with the commanderies given him by Joseph the Ist. We are happy to find he has not proved ungrateful, the marquis de Pombal having attended her majesty to Brazil.

[50] It is a known fact, that the Romans, unable to subdue Viriatus, caused him to be basely assassinated in the year 140 before Christ; and that 70 years before the Christian era, Sertorius was killed at table, by Perpenua.

[51] Etat du Portugal, p. 216.

[52] This slight sketch of the natural history of Brazil, is taken from _l'Histoire générale des Voyages, par M. de la Harpe_. The letter P. is the abbreviation of _Pison_, and the Letter M. of _Marcgraf_; the figures mark the page in the Works of the said authors, entitled as follows:--_Guill._ _Pisonis de Indiæ utriusque re naturali_, _Amst. Lud. et Dan. Elzev. in fol._ 1658: _Georg. Marcgravii_, _Hist. Naturalis Brasiliæ_, _edit. in fol. Lugd. Batav. et Amst._ 1648.

[53] This part of the account of the diamonds of Brazil is taken from Nicholson's translation of Andrado's Mémoirs, read at the Society of Natural History, in Paris.

[54] The richest and finest diamond mines, however, are not the American ones; but are situated in Asia, in the kingdoms of Golconda and Visiapour, on the shore of the Ganges, in Pegu, and in the island of Borneo.

[55] According to the above rule, the king of Portugal's diamond, weighing 11 ounces, 5 gros, 24 carats, would, if perfect be worth 224,500,000l. sterling; but this diamond has many flaws, and is of a yellowish water.

[56] See Journal Econ. 8 Oct. 1751.

[57] This name is given by the French jewellers to a precious stone of a yellowish green. Mr. Lehman has given a curious and learned dissertation on this stone, inserted in the Mem. of the Acad. of Berlin. See the year 1755, p. 202.

[58] See Bayle's Dictionary.

* * * * *

Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:

In-Indiæ=> In-Indiæ {pg 290}

Inez de Casto=> Inez de Castro {pg xxiv}

surpise=> surprise {pg xxiv}

Viscu=> Viseu {pg 5}

reigns of government=> reins of government {pg 9}

disuade=> dissuade {pg 11}

conqering=> conquering {pg 13}

enevitably=> inevitably {pg 31}

prefering=> preferring {pg 28}

Peter de Mendoca=> Peter de Mendoça {pg 40, 48}

indispensible=> indispensable {pg 46}

atchieving=> atchieving {pg 49}

citizens=> citizens' {pg 101}

independant=> independent {pg 110}

Estevarn d'Acugna=> Estevan d'Acugna {pg 70}

duke of Braganzá=> duke of Braganza {pg 94}

banished Portugal=> banished from Portugal {pg 118}

fidelity of of a man=> fidelity of a man {pg 144}

Cindad-Real=> Ciudad-Real {pg 146}

ideot=> idiot {pg 167}

for the purchasing a variety=> for the purchasing of a variety {pg 214}

garrsion=> garrison {pg 272}

in in this town=> in this town {pg 276}

particulary=> particularly {pg 293}

are are oblong=> are oblong {pg 306}