The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-07-09
New Ranks.

New Books.
BRAZIL AND THE BRAZILIANS, por-
frayed IN Historical and Descriptive
Sketches. By Rev. JAMES G. FLETCHER
ted by one hundred end fifty engravtngs.
Eighth Edition revised and enlarged.
Boston: LITTLE, BROWN & Co.
The authors Of this volume have
had most excellent opportunities for
giving us faithful delineation of the
peculiar characteristics of Brazil and
of Its people, and they seem to have
improved them to the utmost. Pre-
yious to the publication of their re-
searches and observations, to the
greater part of the people of this
country, Brazil was as much an I'M
known land as the interior of Africa.
Indeed, not near SO much effort had
been made to explore its interior, nor
had so many volumes been written
concerning it. Its attractions were
unknown and uneared for, and the
salubrity and healthiness of the eli
mate not even suspected. So, to those
who were attracted thither by traffic
or other purposes, the beautiful har-
Dor of Rio Janeiro must have oeca-
stoned the greatest surprise and
pleasure, and to those who have not
the opportunity of seeing it for them
selves, Mr.. Fletcher's descriptions
afford almost equal qualification.
1t seems to have been the design of
Mr.. Fletcher to furnish his readers
with clear conception of the coun-
try physically-its bays, mountains,
v~lleys, and riyers-its salubrious and
equitable climate - it's history and
present government, and the peculiar
character of its inhabitants. This is
done in the narrative form, and has
much the same effect as though he
had his readers with him as he jour
neyed through the country, and point
cd out to them its many beauties of
scenery, as well as the oddities of its
inhabitants. The smallest details are
not omitted. and when the book is
finished and laid aside. one feels that
he mas travelled over Brazil, and is
familiar with its geography, its peo-
pie - their character, customs and
laws-and their ruler as well. In
short, thu, he thoroughly under
stands what before was to him an un-
known land. Our Western people are
familiar with Rio coffee, but very few
of them so much as know whence it
comes, or by whom it is cultivated. If
they will read Mr. Fletcher's book
they will no longer be in ignor-
ante on SO interesting a subject
&c is not our design to enter into
anything like a criticism of the merits
or dement's of the work. 1t possesses
both, the former altogether over
shadowing and almost obscuring the
latter. Our main design is to so call
attention to it that it may be more ex-
tensively read. When our country is
so flooded with useless and senseless
novels, whose contents are eagerly
devoured by the young of both sexes,
1T seems to Us the especial duty of
every good citiZen-certainly of every
Intelligent parent-to direct their
minds TO such literature as will not
only afford equal delight, but impart,
in addition, information that will prove
Of inestimable value all through life.
Such book all will find in Brazil
and the Brazilians." SO interviewer
is its history, with its mountain and
sea shore scenery, that one is compre-
hended and understood while the
beauty and sublimity of the other is
gazed at and admired. It's laws arc
read and understood, and the charac-
teristics Of the people comprehended,
while we arc interested in their deal
ings with each other and their man
ner Of daily living.
There is still another point to
which, as an lndianian, we may call
attention Mr.. Fletcher is a native
Of this State. It's list Of authors is
very small. We are not so sure but
what he may be said to stand at the
head Of the list. The popularity Of
has book, as indicated by the number
of editions through which it has
passed, assigns him that position.
His success, therefore, in some de-
gree, reflects honor upon the State of
his nativity, and in it all it's citizens
must entertain feeling of pride.