Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-05
Lectures at tho Smithsonian Institution.
RHroRrED FOR THE AMERICAN ORGAN.
BRAZIL.
BY REv. Mr.. YLErcHER.

the abilities Of the speaker, as historian, hu-
morist and speaker, were plainly shown.
| He commenced by giving the early history of
Brazil In 1900, Pcrizon, one of the former com
rades of Columbus, struck the coast of America
near 81. Augustine, and sailed down the coast TO
the mouth of the Orinoco, thinking he had found
the coast of India In January, 1881, De Susa dis
covered an opening in the coast and called II Rio
de Janiero, the river Of january, and, though tho
opening turned out to be that of the finest harbor
in the world, still the name rio, or river clings to
It and the city also. 1t fell into the hands Of the
Portuguese, who drove away the French Hugue-
nots, who were sent there by Admiral De Colgny,
and finally drove away the Dutch who had remail-
cd in the country thirty years and founded several
cities, among them Pernambuco.
After that it became great colony of Portugal,
but was so very exclusive that it was with great
difficulty that vessels were permitted to come into
the harbor for repairs. When Bonapartes marshal
came down on Lisbon, the royal family had barely
time to embark in their men-oEwar for Brazil.
where the throne of Portugal was erected, and the
court held for some time.
After the arrival Of the royal family, the excu-
siveness Of the nation was thrown off and the corr
merce of the world invited On the return of Don
John to Portugal, he left his youngest son, Don
Pedro, as vice.oy but he soon imbibed the Brazil
ian ideas of freedom, and, in short and bloodess
| revolution, the government of Brazil was changed
from that Of colony to that of constitutional
empire.
The government now consists of the Emperor,
Don Pedro II, who stands at its head Il Is sui
divided into twenty-one provinces, of which tie
Emperor appoints the governor. Each province
has it's Legislature and Senate. The legislators
being elected by the people, and the Senators also
Tina far.--tha a.
nobility, who have received the highest number tf
votes, are presented to the Emperor, who appoints
one Of them for life, or during good behavior The
justices OF the peace are elected by the people, but
the dis1ict judges are appointed in the same way
The nobility is not one of accident. Birth cannot
create Brazilian noble. II is conferred by morit
gallant behavior in army or navy. An act of COM
mon humanity may obtain the patent so may great
scientific or literary attainments; but the patent
expires with the holder. Sometimes wealth can
obtain the nobility, but that is seldom DONE
In the main, their courts are conducted like ours;
except that the verdict is not required to be unar-
mous; only majority is required to give the ver-
dict.
Brazil has the greatest extent of country of any
nation, except Russia China, and the United States
1t has 30 mild a climate that Mr. Fletcher never
knew the thermometer to stand higher than eighty
eight degrees, or lower than sixty degrees; il
abounds In the most delicious fruits and flowers
the most beautiful birds, and is called by the Bra
zilans the Paradise Of the World. The history Of
the spirit Of the Hesperides in Milton's Comus,
will give good description Of the country lie
now described the city of Rio de Janeiro in full:
and we regret our want of ROOM that we cannot
publish 1t as given.
In 1908, the first printing press was brought to
Brazil. A court paper was printed and all the
shackles of tyranny encumbsred 1t; but when the
new government was proclaimed, the fetters were
hrnt off andy, 10 and ,lnI
rs our own. They publish in the city Of Rio
daily paper about the size of the "Intcligencer,"
which reports the debates In their Congress with all
the accuracy of the "Globc." Their typography
will compare favorably with own, as well as the
speeches reported by their photographers.
Mr. +. presented us with some specimens Of their
printing, which can be seen by the curious at our
Office.
The following is literal reprint of part of their
Senate debate:
40 SR. PREsIDEsTE - Esta retrade
o SR. PAULA CANDIDO (pela orden) pcdo
urgenca para seren lidas as redacooes dos projec-
tos de ms. ll5 1876, um que trata do paganiento
das presas da independence, outro da reforma,
judiciaria.
Consultada a camara ella annuc..
Sac lidas entrao EN- discussao successivamente
as redaceoes acima, scm debate sac approyadas.
Sa PRESIDENTE .--Nomeio para compor a
deputacao que tenn de ir saber do goyerno lugar,
dis bora EN- que deve ter lugar encerramento
da prcsente sessao da assembea geral Legislative os
Srs.--
Here followed long list of names, which we
omit
HoRGADo DAs LARAsGEIRAs.
Continue discussao do projecto sobre morga-
do das Larangeras.
vozEs - Votos votos
III. d,acut;da n
verifcando-se mao haver casa, fca discussao en-
cerrada para votado projeeto m primeira ses-
sac.
Procede-se chamada, desgna-sc ordem do di,
levantase a sessao a una hora da tarde.
From this, II seems that they have judiciary
reform bill before the Senate, well we, (refor
ma judiciars,) and that the President has TO keep
order there as well as here, and they will call for
the question also; (votos votoslD
The established religion Of the country is the
Roman Catholic but, Of all the nations that pro-
ess that faith they are the most tolerant. There
is an article in their constitution stating that there
shall be no persecution for consciences sake all
denominations are allowed 10 worship they please,
except in temples (houses with steeples and bels.)
When the Pope's Nuncio Bedini denied those Cath
| olics who had ntermarried with Protestants, the
old Lutheran minister Of the city denounced him !;
then both received word as follows from the Mayor:
| Gentlemen You can preach much as you
| like, but cannot allow you to fight" The strong
cst argument ever written against the celbscy Of
the clergy was by Brazilian Bishop; and Mr. 4.
| in his missionary tours through the country, never
met with insult, or even Indifference, but with con-
sideration and respect Religious sentiment has
no place among tbem-on the most solemn occa-
sions very little attention Is paid tho ceremony,
| but all seem intent on seeing and being seen.
He spoke Of the royal family as having the
best royal blood in their veins, being connected
with all the European sovereigns, except Czar
Nicholas. The Emperor Don Pedro ], stands
head and shoulders above his people" both in
mind and body he is one inch less in height than
our General Scott. His consort is well known and
greatly beloved for kindness Of heart and benevo-
lence. She Ia near relative of the present queen
Of Spain, but only can be contrasted with her as
an angel Of light with one that has fallen from its
high estate.
| The post Office regulations are singular. The
letters from the different provinces are kept sepa-
rately; also those from the different foreign coun-
\ fx. lefta b.,