This sentiment of equality, which, though attended with some inconveniences, cannot be considered as the worst feature in the character of the Brasilians, operates with peculiar advantage in mitigating the severity of negro slavery. This class assume in their manner the same equality which is practised by the other inhabi tants ; they are well fed, and not hard worked ; and they are allowed two days in the week to labour for them selves, by which means many are enabled to purchase their freedom, while others obtain it by favour. It was even enacted by the late King of Portugal, that, after remaining in bondage for ten years, they should he en titled to their liberty ; but though this law has never been repealed, its execution has been evaded by the planters. The negroes whose condition is hardest, are those employed in the mines, particularly of diamonds ; for when suspected of swallowing these, with a view to secrete them, violent emetics and cathartics are often administered, with the view of making them disgorge the hidden treasure ; a treatment the more severe, as it is often founded on unjust suspicion.
The Indians form the third division in the population of Brasil. The conduct of the court of Lisbon with re gard to this unfortunate class of men, has, from the first, been singularly liberal and humane. This has been principally owing to the solicitations of the Jesuit missionaries, who may justly be considered as the prin cipal benefactors of the new world. The first settlers, in their predatory warfare with the natives, made slaves of all those who fell into their hands, and probably un dertook expeditions for the express purpose of obtain ing them. These practices were, in 1570, prohibited by King Sebastian ; the prohibition was confirmed, in 1595, by Philip II.; and successive regulations to the same effect were issued at the beginning of the follow ing century. The necessities of the colonists, however, who could cultivate their lands only by the labour of Indians, evaded the execution of all these laws, even though they were repeated in a still more formal man ner, in 1647. The court, however, continued still in defatigable in issuing its mandates, and at length, in 1755, under the vigorous, and in some respects enlight ened administration of the Marquis of Pomba!, the measure was finally carried into execution. The court of Lisbon certainly derive high honour from this un wearied perseverance. The benefits, however, which were expected to result from it by the friends of hu manity, have not yet been fully realised. The natural indo lence of this people, their want of capital, and of oppor tunity, have prevented them front emerging from their original degradation. They are employed only in the most menial offices ; they form the sole exception to the general system of equality, and enjoy a considera tion decidedly inferior to that even of the negro slaves.
Their intercourse is almost solely between themselves ; and their quiet suspicious character indicates the state of humiliation in which they are held.
Having thus given a general sketch of the discovery and history of Brasil, and of the different provinces into which it is divided, we shall conclude this article with the information which we have been able to collect re specting the statistics and commerce of this interesting portion of the new world.
When the Europeans first settled in Brasil, the country was extremely unhealthy, from the thick fo rests with which it was covered. But as the cultivation of sugar increased, and when the woods were cut down, the soil became fertile, and the climate mi:d and healthy. In consequence of the refreshing winds which constant ly blow from the sea, the air is not only cool, hut, du ring the night, it is so chill, that the natives at e obliged to light fires in their huts. The northern provinces arc subject to severe storms and heavy rains, but those in the south are more fertile and temperate. The rainy season in Brasil begins in April and ends in August; and though the temperature is then greater than during the dry season, it is called winter by the inhabitants.
In the interior of Brasil there are great chains of mountains, mingled with superb wallies and large fer tile plains. The principal chain passes westward from the government of St Paul ; hut this and the other moun tainous ranges have never yet been described.
The principal rivers of Brasil are the Maragnan, the Paraiba, the Para, the Panacas, the Tocantin or Socan tin, the San Francisco, the Rio dos Ilheos, the Rio Dolce, the Parana, and the Rio Grande. The merchan dise of Europe is carried up the Rio Grande, partly by the force of oars, and partly by drawing the vessels with ropes. Sometimes more than two months are spent in this tedious navigation ; but the gold and silver, and merchandise of America, which comes from the new kingdom of Granada, are brought down the river in the short space of three weeks. The Rio Dolce runs in a serpentine motion from west to east, and after receiv ing different rivers, it waters the province of Spiritu Santo, which it separates from that of Seguro, and then runs into the sea. The San Francisco, whose source is not well ascertained, runs to the north east, and after passing for a considerable way under ground, it takes an easterly course, and separating Fernambuco from Sergippe., it empties itself into the ocean. The Parana, after mixing its waters with the river Gaibuio, joins the San Francisco. The river Para, which is known only at its embouchure, runs from south to north, and falls into the gulf formed at the mouth of the river Amazons.