The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-24 00:00:00

AFFAIRS OF BRAZIL.

(EXTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER.)
" Roo lie JAN Emu, Nov. 24.
" The inducement i have now to write to you, is to inform you
of the s'e nation of affairs in this part of the world. Little did I
think a month bank that an important change was about to take
place, but the times are out of joint, and strange events crowd upon
us. (In the 10th instant, a rumour was afloat that a Brarilian
apothecary had been severely beaten the previous evening by a
European Officer it proved to be true, and the cause assigned
was a suspicion, that the apothecary was the author of some snicks,
in the papers, reflecting on the Europeans and the Military gene-
rally. 'I he Police took no steps on the occasion, and the apothe-
cary drew up a statement, which was presented to the Cortes. That
Assembly very properly decided that it was not in their jurisdic-
tion, and that the complainant must follow the usual course
of law to seek redress. Some of the violent members, however,
accused the Ministers of apathy ; a very stormy debate ensued,
the public lost all respect for the House, and mingled with the
31embers, Inc. &c. The President declared the sitting terminated,
and the Andrade% the most violent Brazilians, were chaired, and
thus concluded the 11th. The Session of the 11th was still violent,
and as the Emperor had the preceding night drawn
all the troops
round him, at his Palace about three miles from town, the sitting
was declared permanent till an explanation of that proceeding could
be had. The old Ministers had been dismissed, or rather had re-
signed, and the new ones being called on for an explanation, de-
clared their inability to give any, and the House continued sitting
till about one o'clock on the 19th, when about 400 men, including
cavalry, infantry, and four field-picas, surrounded the House of
Assembly, and declared, that by the Emperor's orders the fortes
were dissolved ; six or eight of the obnoxious members were ar-
rested (who have since been sent off ostensibly to Havre), and thus
ended the prospect of any thing like a Constitution, or a liberal
form of Govemment.

Every thing has since been tranquil ; but how it will continue
so, flosl only knows. Aly opinion is that when it is known in the
provinces, more especially to the north, they will take strong mea-
sures, and perhaps throw off all connexion with Rio. Thus, one
hasty, ill-advised, arbitrary ac., may be the cause of entire dis-
union, snot perhaps of the return of the country under the in-
fluence of Portugal. The Emperor has promised a new .Issembly,
and a very liberal Constitution; but 1 put not my trust in Princes:
and what man of any principle will be a Deputy after this example
of despotism ? I am completely disgusted with these pusillanimous
wretches, who do not deserve anythink like freedom, after what has
happened ; however, as foreigners, It is no concern of ours ; all we
must wish for are, peace and quietness to pursue ourrespective
avocations.
. _

...
`• Lord Cochrane has been with us about a month, and I have
reasoo to think is not a little annoyed. It would afford me much
pleasure, were he to leave them to their fate. Several persons have
been named as Ministers fur the different departments, and have
resigned again ; the present men have held their places ten days,
hut, perhaps, the same period of time will give us ethers. Ilusi.
ness, of course, is suffering from the sudden change in politics, and
confidence has received a severe blow.

•• We have accounts from Chili to the 13th October. An expe-
dition had sailed for the Intennedios, consisting of 3,000 troops.
I know not the date from Lima, but am told that Bolivar, with
3.01011 men, had got there, and that 4,000 more were expected.
Colonel 31i11er was in possession of Arequipa ; and, if the accounts
are true, the Royalists must be in a had way.
" 1 have a letter from Valparaiso of the 20th September, wh:rh
describes business there as in a deplorable state. The Spartiate,l
Admiral Ere, arrived here tea days back. Sir T. Hardy goes
borne in the Creole, which carries this."

HINDOSTAN.

[From " A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindostan,"
lately published.

The undoes will never, if they can avoid it, forsake
the trade of their fathers ; and are so exceedingly tenacious
in this particular, that they ate even scrupulous of im-
proving upon it. I asked a baker once to make muffins,
and effered to translate a receipt I had for them into Hin-
dostanee, promising bim at the same time, a recommenda-
tion to all my acquaintance, which being pretty large, and
at one of the principal military stations, must have been
highly lucrative to him. lie listened very patiently until
I had finished my speech, when, closing his hands in a sup-
pliant posture, " Pardon me, lady," said he, " but my
father never made them, my grandfather never made them,
and how can I presume to do it? my grandfather brought
up sixteen children, my father fourteen children, without
making nseffkeens, and why should not I ?"
At Monghier our traveller witnessed the penance prac-
tised at the festival of the Goddess llherani, and gives an
explanation of a trick attending it, which we have not be-
fore met with :

The ceremony commenced by loud shouting, accompa-
nied with what they miscall music, alias a combination of
barbarous sounds produced from different instruments, and
an immense concourse of Himloos, who soon ranged them-
selves round a wooden pole of about 20 feet high, fixed
upright in the ground. On the top of this pole, in an ho-
rizontal position, were placed three very long bamboos,
from which were quickly suspended three men (brahmins),
by means of large iron hooks passed through the fleshy part
of their backs, immediately under the shoulder. There
hooks were affixed to rings of the same metal fastened to
the bamboo. In this manner they hung for fifteen mi-
nutes, swinging round with wonderful velocity. In order
to prevent the flesh from tearing through by the weight of
the body, a breadth of cloth was tied round the waist, and
made fast also to the hook.
We were informed that this was an annual and volun-
tary penance, by which the objects became almost deified,
and generally collected a sufficient sum of money to support
them the remainder of their lives. What will not avarice,
combined with superstition, effect? I was naturally desir-
ous to know if these misi;uided beings were not much ex-
hausted by loss of blood, which I concluded must flow
from their wounds. The man to whom I applied far in-
formation smiled, and told me that those who make up
their minds to perform this penance, determine on it at
least six months before hand, and consequently have their
hacks prepared for it by boring, just as for an ear-ring,
first introducing a small ring, and so gradually increasing
it:: size, until it became what we had witnessed.
" The part," added he, " by constant friction, soon be-
came callous ; and what appears to us so shocking an ope-
ration, is by them scarcely felt." Marl: here the cunning
of the priest, who, to account for no blood appearing (they
having been kept in ignorance of the preparation), instructs
the people, that these men being saints, their blood is too
precious to be apille.l !
A malefactor having committed some crime, for which
he was sentenced to be hanged, received the awful fiat
with such coolness, that the Judge was disposed to believe
that the man had not understood him, and accordingly
caused it to be repeated by one of the native counsellors.
The man replied that lie understood the Judge very well.
" Vou are to be hanged to-morrow," repeated the barrister.
"Sulfas kn konsi," " as the gentleman pleases," returned
the culprit, and followed his conductor out of court, appa-
rently unconcerned. A few days elapses! before the sen-
tence could be put in execution; and when brought forth,
as they supposed, to suffer the punishment of his crime,
there appeared quite a different person. This being re-
ported to the Judge, he was ordered to be brought before
hint, and it was discovered that the other hail given this
man three rupees to be hanged in his place. The former
one had of course made his escape ; and, strange as it
:nay appear, the substitute was afraid of being discharged,
lest he might insist upon his refunding the three rupees,
which he had spent, he said, on inetais, cakes of which
they are particularly fend, made of sugar and flour.

• XING'S THEATRE:

A grand rehearsal of the new Opera of Zehnira took
place at this theatre yesterday, with all the performers, a
full band, anti the whole of the scenery and splendid pro-
perties ; it commenced at twelve, and was not over till past
tour. Madame Colbron Rossini, who plays Zelinira, is new
to an English audience. In person she may be safely pro-
nounced a tine commanding figure, certainly superior to her
pretleceseor, Camporese, and by no means so old in appear-
ance as we were led to believe. Her voice and style Asti-
inflate nearer to that of Madame Fodor, than any female
singer we recollect upon the Italian stage. Iler execution
is very great, and her articulation distinct. It would not
be fair to go generally into the merits of the opera from
a rehearsal ; but the Trio ...gild,' between this lady, Cu-
rioni, and Garcia, in the second act, struck us as being
particularly impdssioned and imprtasive. The Finale
strongly reminded us of the one in Donna del Gag.,; the
solo parts, allotted to NlatiameColbeon Rossini, had a most
imposing effect. As far as we ceuld judge, the combina-
tions of scenery and stage incident will form a roost splen-
did spectacle. The ptoccrsions are numerous, and very
effective. Rossini conducted the opera in person, and gave
great delight to the performers, by the distinguished union
of great judgment with the most gentlemanly urbanity of
deportment: lie will preside at the piana for the first three
nights. The whole character of the music struck us asp
being more unique than any of his former compositions. I

POLITICAL. CIL4RACTERS (f the LAST REIGN.

RIGHT 110 N. CHARLES JENKINSON, AFTERWARDS
LORD LIVERPOOL.
Mr. Charles Jenkinson, since created Earl of Livenvool,
occupied in 1751, the employment of Secretary of War. '
Few persons in the course of this long and eventful reign,
played so important a- part behind the curtain of state.
Still fewer individuals have attained to such eminence, per-
sonal as well as political, unaided by ;the advantages of
high birth or natural connections. Desceridedir *,/f7Y
respectable family, that had been raised to the Doiietage
by Charles the Second, in 1661, his paternal fortune was,
nevertheless, of the most limited description, when he com-
menced his career. But, his talents soon dispersed the
clouds that attendee' the morning of his life. They recom-
mended him to Lo:(1 Bute, then at the head of the Trea-
sury, who made Mr. Jenkinsou his private Secretary ; and
through that nobleman he became personally known to the
sovereign. When Lord Bute withdrew in 176'3, from the
post of First Minister, Mr. Jenkinson still continued to
occupy the same confidential employment under his suc-
cessor, George Grenville ; nor was he displaced till Lord
Rockingham came into power, when Burke succeeded him
in that situation. Those who supposed, or asserted, that a
secret communication was still maintained between Lord
Bute and the King ; as well as all those who chose to con-
sider Lord Bute as the efficient, though concealed, mover
of the machine of Government, accused Mr. Jenkinson
of forming the confidential medium, through which that
intercourse was principally maintained. So delicate a
trust, if we assume its existence, necessarily exposed him
to popular clamour, as being equally unconstitutional in
itself, and dangerous to the liberties of the British people.
But, in proportion to the obloquy that such an imputation
excited, was the respect that it attracted.
As Lord Bute gradually retired into the shade of private
life, and became insensibly forgotten, Mr. Jenkinson propel,-
tionabl7 came forward in his own person, and on his own
proper merits. Throughout the whole period of Lord
North's Administration, from 1770 down to 1762, his in-
tercourse with the King, and even his influence over the
royal mind, were assumed to be constant, progressive,
commensurate with, and sometimes paramount to, or sub
versive of, the measures proposed by the First minister( NO
denials on the part of persons in power, could erase the
impression which newspapers and pamphlets industriously
circulated through the kingdom. In the House of Com-
mons, where their operation was widely felt, the speakers
in opposition continually affected to consider Lord North,
together with the whole Cabinet, as played on by unseen
agents, who alone possessed the secret of state, and the
real confidence of the Crown. They did not scruple even
to designate Mr. Jenkinson as the depositary of this mys-
terious and undefined influence; if ,not exclusively, yet in
an eminent degree. Of course, whenever he rove to s k,
all attention was absorbed by him, as being the ante
oracle who knew, and might promulgate, Pune olden
truths of state, in which Ministers themselves, it was pre-
tended, were not always allowed to participate, and of
which he constituted the only certain channel.
At this time he was about St years of age, and in his
person he rose above the common height. The expression
of his countenance, it is difficult to describe, as without
having in his face any lines strongly marked, it was not
destitute of deep intelligence. Reflection and caution
seemed to be stamped on every feature ; while his eyes
were usually, even in conversation, directed downwards
towards the earth. Something impervious and inscrutable
seemed to accompany and to characterize his demeanour,
which awakened curiosity, while it repressed inquiry. His
enemies asserted, that he resembled a (lark lanthorn ; and
as much as the human figure or physiognomy can ever be
supposed to offer such a strange similarity, unquestionably
it existed in him. Even the twinkling motion of his eye-
lids, which he half closed from time to time in speaking,
made the allusion, however fanciful, more close and
striking. His manners were polite, calm, and unassuming;
grave, if not cold ; but not distant, without any mixture of
pride or affectation. In society, though reserved, he was
not silent ; and though guarded on certain topics, com-
municative on ordinal y subjects. He always appealed as if
desirous to disclaim, and to reject the consideration, which
he involuntarily attracted. It was not ellficult, on a short
acquaintance, to discover that he had read men, more than
books ; and that his education bad been of an inferior, as
well as limited kind. Ile neither manifested the elegant
infonnation acquired by visiting foreign countring nor the
classic ideas and images derived from a familiaVity with
the producticns of antiquity. Even his knowledge of
modern history was rather financial and commercial, than
general or critical. But, in recompence for these defici-
encies, lie possessed more useful and solid attainments, cal-
culated to raise their possessor in life.
No man in official situation, was supposed to understand
better the principles of trade, navigation, manufactures,
and revenue. He had written and published on those
subjects, in a mannet that sufficiently proved his profound
acquaintance with them. Supple, patient, mild, laborious,
persevering, attentive to improve the favourable occasions
which presented themselves, and always cool, he never lost
the greund that he had once gained. As a speaker in the
house of Commons, he rose seldom, unless called out by
particular circumstances; nor, when on his legs, did be
ever weary the patience of his auditors. No ray of wit,
humour, or levity, pervaded his speeches. Ile neither
introduced into them metaphors,., digressions, nor citations.
All was fact and business. His language had nothing in
it animated or elevated. Scarcely was it, indeed, always
correct, or exempt from some little inelegancies of diction.
But it never was defective in the essentials of perspicuity,
brevity, and thorough information. He reminded us of a
man crossing a torrent on stones; and so carefully did he
place his foot at every step, as never once to wet his shoe.
lie have seen him, before a crowded House, acquit him-
self with wonderful dexterity, while Secretary at war,
when officially addressing Parliament. Such qualifications,
even independent of the supposed favour of the sove-,1
reign, necessarily rendered hint an object of respect and ,
of attention to every party.

There is an arrival at Guernsey of a vessel from Rio de
Janeiro, which sailed a few days later than the Creole
frigate. It is probable, therefore, that she brings intelli-
gence on the effects of the contiuct of the Emperor. At
present, such is the feeling In the City, that all idea of a
Brazil Loan is abandoned.

The Journal de Frankfort, aiyu—Letters from Vienna
of the loth January, infonn us the differences which had
arisen between Turkey and florin, on the subject of the
Russian army in Podolia and Volhynia, have been satis-
factorily arranged by the mediation of the Austrian Inter-
nuncio. The Turkish government, on their part, were ex-
pected to withdraw their troops from Moldavia and Walla-
chia, and set the Greek Bayard& at liberty. A part of the
Russian troops, which were in Bessarabia, have been
already removed to a greater distance from the Turkish
frontier.

Durham is now brilliantly lighted with gas.—Tyne
Me' cury.