Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-01-22

REV. MR.. FLETCHER's LBCTURE.-The lee
ture before the Lyceum and Library Association
last evening, in Washburn Hall, was one of the
best and most instructive of the season. His
subject was, Brazil and the Brazi1ians," and we
are happy to record that he was greeted with
full house. 1t was, well said the speaker, truly
great subject Brazil, comprising nearly half of
South America, and containing three mil.
lion square miles, is larger than the United States
by New England, and good slice of the Mid.
die States longer than from Boston to Liver
pool and broader than from Liverpool to Alex.
andria, Egypt.
1t is land that is very little known, Portu-
guese was the mother tongue The present En-
peror is descended from the Hapsburghs. with the
blood of the Bragauzas and Bourbons also in his
veins. He is mhn of intelligence and acquire
ments. Mccullough, in his Gazetteer, makes mis-
takes about Brazil; he says it is composed o.
plains, when it is more like Switzerland or New
Hampshire. And, worst of all in the report Of
our exploring expedition, ''San Salvador, some
times known as Rio de Janero,' is spoken Of
just like saying Charleston, sometime known as
New York.
Brazil is almost the only country in the tropics
that the white man can live in. There are no ex.
tremes of temperature Y degrees is the aver
age, with cool breezes blowing from sea or land,
resembling the account of the Hesperides in Mil.
ton. The lecturer gave the reasOn--the influence
of the trade winds and the average height of seven
hundred feet above the sea,
To mention nature means Brazil, to any one
that has been there Precious stones and miner.
al products abound, with vegetable wealth
enough to enrich the whole world ipecacuanha
sarsaparlla india rubber, and rich dyes, and flow
ers the Victoria Regia grows here, and rose.
wood is so plentiful that wheel'spokes, beams,
and even pig-pens are made oft ; sensitive plants
abound.
Brazil was discovered in January, 1900, and
called the "Holy Cross" and afterwards changed
to its present name, from the Brazil wood The
banner of the Protestant faith was planted in
1866 again by the Dutch century later, and
in 1895 by Henry Martin. In 1921 independence
was declared. A constitution was formed with
President by birth, instead Of an elective one
But constitutional monarchy is the best form of
government for Brazil. All religions are toler.
ated. The lecturer display ed, as an evidence Of
the civilization Of the Brazilians two newspapers
published at Rio. They are printed on linen pa
per and look as well as the interesting journals
Of this city. They have places for stocks, railroad
advertisements masses, and festivals. The opera
is there, and Thalberg won laurels in Rio before
he did in New York. Quaek advertisements
abound sure sign Of civilization and, what is
best Of all, Advertisements have to be paid for in
advance, at six cents line. (Oh, for that haley
on day here J They advertise creditors, that an
exposure will take place unless they pay up.
Schools are there, where English is taught Just
as French is with u.s. and as marriages take
| place early there, and welded ladies' play with
wax dolls, husbands advertise for people to take
care Of their wives. You can put anything in the
papers and make them subseryient to the cause
Of religion, for six cents a line.
Leaving the frozen Hudson, journey of many
long miles takes US to the shores Of Brazil Be.
hold the colonnade Of mountains, and the Bay OF
Rio de Janeiro The speaker gave graphic de.
scHpton Of the sail up the Bay, and the frst
glimpse Of the city; with a statement Of what
Brazil imports and exports; showing what field
Is open TO our manufacturers and merchants, that
Is now monopolized by the English, who give
away Day Martin" the first ear. and people
must have 1t afterwards. II there is any market
open TO Americans, 1t is Brazil.
We do not pretend to sleep the Rrst night in
the Bay OF Rio. The steamers constantly plying
to and fro and the gas lamps on shore, lighted
every night, moon or no moon, preclude slumber.
The lecturer took us ashore in the morning.
amid the bad odors Of the dock. What lot Of
black men, Of which the lecturer gave AN inter-