, 1855-05-12
Brazil.

very interesting and instructive lecture, de-
livered last Wednesday evening at the
Smithsonian Institution, by the Rev. Mr..
Fletcher:
"Rev. J. o. Fletcher, who has resided
for a number of years past at the capital
of Brazil commenced his lecture by expo
sing our ignorance of Government SO vast
and one so closely allied to the United
States by the bonds of commerce.
Brazil, after Russia, China, and our
own country, is the largest contiguous ter
ritory under one Government. She has
forty-fve hundred miles of Atlantic sea
coast, and possesses fertility unsurpassed.
Although Brazil is nearly intertropical, yet
on account of the general elevation, the
climate does not have with the exception
Of the low, marshy, unihabited region of
the Amazon) the great extremes Of heat
known to the torrid zone in other portions
of the world In the vicinity of Rio de
Janeiro the delicious climate, the thousands
of flowers, the majestic palms, the rich and
beautiful fruits, and the luxuriant tropic
vegetation constantly recalled Millions de-
scrfption of the tabled Hesperides, where
-Eternal summer dweIs.'
Mr.. Fletcher also demonstrated, in his
running sketch Of the history of Brazil,
that that Empire is as wonderful in its
political history and government as in its
fora and fauna.
Brazil was first discovered by Pinzon, a
Spanish navigator companion of Co
lumbus-in 1900. He was followed by
Cabial, Portuguese who claimed the land
in the name Of his monarch.
On the first of January, 1881. Martin
Alphonsc de Louza sailed into what he
supposed to be large river, though he soon
discovered bis mistake eyet to this day the
magifeent sheet Of water is known by the
misnomer "Rio de Janeiro." The first
colony established near the waters Of that
bay was in 1866, by band of French
Huguenots, under the patronage Of Admi-
raj Coligny. They were, however, over
come by the Portuguese, as well as the
Dutch, who in after years occupied por-
ton Of the northern coast, from 1880
To 1854. From the last date Brazil be-
came a colony of Portugal, with as great
commercial restrictions as China before
1912. Thus this vast region remained
until 1908, when the royal family of POrtu-
gal fed from Lisbon upon the invasion Of
the French army and sought refuge at
Rio de Janeiro, which became for the time
being the capital. Brazil rapidly improved,
as the commercial restrictions were thrown
aside, and it soon was incorporated as a
constituent portion Of the kingdom. The
frst printing press was established in 1908,
but it was reserved in after years for indie
pendent Brazil to have press entirely free
and unshaken.
The lecturer exhibited several specimes
Of Brazilian Typography, among which
were Lieut.. Murrg's letters on che Amazon
question, and newspapers. Rio, a city Of
three hundred thousand inhabitants, has
several daily papers, which during the ses-
sion Of the Imperial Legislature, print
full reports Of all the debates the morning
after their occurrence.
In 1891 the King, Don John, returned
to Portugal, leaving his son, Don Pedro,
as Viceroy. Brazil was treated badly by
Portugal, and the BraziIiaps resented it,
proclaimed a constitutional empire, and
Don Pedro was made the first Emper-
or. Their constitution is singularly liberal,
and the whole government more nearly
With some qualifications, resembles our own,
than any other. There are twenty-one
provinces, each having its Governor and
independent Legislature. 1t is thus
oenfralized government. There is the I'm
perial Legislative assembly. with its House
Of Representatives and its Senate, CORES
ponding TO our Congress. But, in order
that the Provincial Government may be
more closely allied to the General Govern
ment, the Emperor appoints the Governors
and the people elect their Legislators.
There is q nobility, but it is one bOn'
aeritO, and cannot descend from father tc
son.
There is also q liberaIity and guaran
tied religious liberation which surprises us
and cannot be surpassed out side Of Eng
land and the United States.
Brazil is not hot bed Of revolution as
Spanish America, but has had peaceful
ness and material prosperity in advance
of every American Government save our
oun Cha has bad huf ona c,root ohono.e