The Sun.
London, England, 1825-04-15 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE.

SELECTIONS from the various AUTHORS who have
written concerning BRAZIL; more particularly reslact"
ing the Captaincy of ;MINAS GE RAES, and the Gold I 1110"
of that Province.—By BARCLAY INIOUNTENEY, Author
of the Historical Enquiry relative to the late EmPer°l.
NAPOLEON.
The new Empire that has been founded 09
that extensive portion of the former Colonial
possessions of the House of BRAGANZA, the vast
territory of BRAZIL, and the great importance'
which it is likely to acquire in the commercial
world, render this work peculiarly acceptable at
the present period. Whether Brazil will ccrfr
tinue to maintain the form of an Imperial Go-
vernment, or, like all the other countries in
part of the world,- finally settle into a ite"
public, is a question of no great importance
itself. It is enough that it has thrown off the EU"
ropean yoke, and must hereafter •enjoy all
t,he
advantages of a free and independent state. Tne
author of this work, who in his preface appears
to be disposed to assume only the modest eh"
racter of a compiler, admitting him only in that
capacity, has probably rendered a more valuable
present to the public than might be expected
from the sources of any individual traveller'
We have read his work with great attention, ni'd
have derived so much information from it, that
we can confidently recommend it to the specala'
part politician, as well as to mercantile people it)
picular. The Work is ►divided into fourteeu
chapters, with an appendix. It commence!
with a history of the first discovery of Bra Zit
by VINCENT YANEZ PINZON, in 1499, and c
traces it through the successive Governments 0-
the French, the Portuguese, and the Dutch
this Chapter, in fact, comprising, the history o'
the country till it finally settled under the Pence-
ful sway of the Crown of Portugal. Nothing
seems to be omitted by our author that can WO'
trate the character of the natives, point out the
natural productions of the country,particularly the.
mines, and the manner in which their treasure:!'
are procured, suggesting improved modes, On
indeed affording every possible information tn.
those who are likely to engage in commercial in:
tercourse with the new empire. As far as it
Bible to judge at present, the Emperor bitnso
lE
seems to act with such sound policy, and suctl
regard to the welfare of his people as to afford the
prospect of stability to his Government. We haver
not room for extracts, but we may repeat
ti cu
'
recommendation of the work as a very histruc,
mass of important information, collected from tbd''
most authentic publications of other writers, an
comprizing in a succinct, but satisfactory fort''`
every thing respecting the state of the count:le
and its resources necessary to be ktiown by tit 1
merchant, the enterprising adventurer, or that
amuse and instruct the general reader. We nei
ticed the other work of this Author, mentioneat
in the title-page, soon after its publication, at
are surprized to find that it has been consider/
as a DEFENCE of the GENERAL CHARACTER
of
NAPOLEON, oh at least as an apology for manY
his actions, which have incurred the censure 0:
mankind. In our opinion the Author viewed t.bll,
character of the late Emperor of France ,11y
.
the freedom of a philosopher and the impartial.' IL.
of an historian, examining the situations in ',Oleo,-
NAPOLEON was placed, and inquiring merely
any other person in similar circumstances c°l3o),
have acted, 'under such high responsibility, tte
important interests to support, and with the P'Bo
of nations depending on his decision. Surely
ate
may as well be permitted to investig3_
the actions of an individual of the present tiineoi
who may have raised himself into- the notice
ed
mankind, as well as of those who distingoisbra
themselves in the days of ancient Greece
Rome, without being suspected of an intenti°
to spread a veil over vice, injustice, and °`o
pression.