New-York daily tribune., 1845-05-22
The Brazilian Empire.

SKETCHES OF RESIDENCE AND travels IN BRAZIL eInbra
Gin. Historical and Geographical Notices ofthe Empire
and its Several Provinces BY DANIEL r. KIDDRR.
2vols. Illustrated. Wiley & Putnam.
The writer of this book is Missionary, who
went to Brazil for the specific purpose of giving
away Bibles, upder the authority of the Bible So
ciety-an object which he faithfully accomplished
His book, very naturally, is in good parta sermon,
and is too highly favored with that illiberal sec
tarianism which examines but lightly every thing
that il cannot dlstort TO its own purposes. Those
portions of the work in which nearly all the ear.
nesness and strength OF the writer are exhausted
possess the least interest 10 The general reader.
The historical sketches Of the Country are mere
ordinary patchwork, and the observations on the
Commerce, Agriculture, Politics, Manners and
Customs of the people too superficial 10 satisfy the
appetite excited by the sublect-a subject on which
nearly every one feels the need Of information
There is a most remarkable lack of knowledge
among us Of the condition and prospects of the en-
pires of South America-an objectionable Ignorance
AS 10 how the great drama Of life isgong on there II
is true we have every few days some stereotyped
and altogether unsatisfactory paragraphs OF latest
news as it is called, from these far-of ands but
those who bring these advces are only less ignorant
OF the real state of affairs there than the sub editors
who prepare them for the press or the public whc
read them A whole continent, glowing beneath
the finest climates on earth AMI inhabited by many
and powerful nations, planted with rich and popu-
ous cities, scolloped by magnificent harbors and
ineraoed with mighty rivers, which tertlllze the
most prolific soil on the Globe, lies as il were
without the pale of our knowledge and sympaihles,
aud only heard Of occasionally in little paragraph,
along with the marine memoranda from Polynesia.
We are willing, therefore, TO take this book al It's
highest value Meanwhile we copy The following,
as being the most comprehensive view OF Brazilian
affairs contained in the book
"The favorable position and the vast extent OF
the Brazilian Empire, must always secure Tor II
prominent place in the eyes et the world Indeed,
few nations can enter into comparison with It IN
either of these respects. Brazil stands out upon
the eastern shore of South America as the great
way-mark of the Southern ATLANTIC: Il commands
equal access to Europe and the United States -
Africa and the West Indies are lis neIghbors;
while the voyage from lis prlnclpal, ports 10
Southern Asia and the Islands OF The Indian Ocean
s shorter by ten or twelve thousand miles than
from either Liverpool or New-lork. Al The same
time Brazil embraces nearly halt OF all South
America, covering an area conSideraoiy greater
than that OF the United STATES with thelr eTuefies,
and equal 10 six.sevenlhs of all Europe.
"The internal resources of the Empire are COM
mensurate with It's favored position and Its wide
extent 1t is neither the gold OF Its mines, nor hr
diamonds that sparkle IN The beds OF It's inlaRd
rivers, that constitute the greatest sources OF lie
available wealth. Although nature has bestowed
upon Brazil the most precious minerals, yet she
has been still more prodlea III the gut of vegetable
riches. Embracing the whole latitude OF the
southern torrld, and ten degrees oi Inc southern
temperate zone, and stretching It's Longitude from
-,
Continent across the mountains oil lis own interior
10 the very feet Of the Andes lis soil and liz climate
offer an asylum To- almost every valuable plant
In addition 10 numbereSS varieties OF Indigenous
growth, there ls scarcely production ol elmer
India which might not be naturalzed IN Sreal per
iecton under or near the Equator; while lts IN
terror upands aud IFS soil III the tar south, well
| come many OF the grains and harder vegetables OF
Europe.
Z" Not only does Brazil embrace whatever ls
beautiful, whatever is luxrriant, and whatever Is
| magnificent In nature, but II enjoys pleasant ana
saiubflous climate There prevails, throughout
lis whole extent, degree OF heallhiulness un-
known IN the parallel a;liudes OF Africa; and, al
| me same time, exemption from earthquakes,
winch the treasures Of Chill and Peru, on the oppo-
Slte coast OF Souin America, can but poorly COM
| pensate.
- Within such limits and occupying such a po-
Sitlon, we hnd established the only Monarchy ex-
sting III the New World. Here is enthroned a
branch OF the Dynasty OF Portugal Portugal, one
ot the smallest kingdoms OF Europe has here given
her language and her people 10 country seventy
seven times larger than herself.
cit is impossible 10 appreciate the present condi-
ion of Brazil, without taking into view the infu-
| epces of the Mother Country. Notwithstanding
the wealth and .lory of Portugal during the short
period of her marlIime supremacy, there are but
few coun,res in Europe less fitted to become the
model Of a prosperous State IN modern times. in
whatever light we consider Portugal, or her inst