Date: 1817
I heard of a strange custom existing in these parts of the country that are so thinly inhabited, which arises from this state of things.  Certain priests obtain a licence from the bishop (of Per nambuco), and travel through these regions with a small altar constructed for the purpose ; of a size to be placed upon one side of a pack-saddle, and they have with them all their apparatus for saying mass.  Thus with a horse conveying the necessary paraphernalia, and a boy to drive it, who likewise assists in saying mass, and another horse on which the priest himself rides, and car ries his own small portmanteau, these men make in the course of the year between 1501. and 2001.