Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-06-18

grounds.
The color lipe in Brazil is almost
lost, Brszllians marrying Portuguese,
they negroes, until their blood is COM
pletely mixed. 1t was told by lien.
tenant in our navy who visited q very
elegant Brazilian family, where the
gentlemen were all educated, the ladies
beautiful AMI accomplished, that, on
being introduced to the grandmother,
| he found her to be negress. OF
course this is not a common occurrence.
The prevailing religion is Roman
Catholic. There are many priests; the
people are devotcd to their faith. His
majesty, Dom Pedro, is very liberal in
his religious views. The inhabitants
are kindly disposed to foreigners. are
hospitab.e, and willing to give any de-
sirable inforuation relative to their
country. TIE higher classes are we'll
educated and courteous in their man
lcrs. Republic lnism is fast gaining
ground, although at present a decided
movement in that direction would be
premature, neither the finances nor the
people being prepared for it. The
& adual emancipation of slavery is, and
will be, great advantage to this coun-
try. The slaves, as general thing, are
not we'll treated; and as the world is
fast becoming too enlightened for this
traffic, it will not be long before all hu-
mainly will rejoice in the sweets of
liberty.
The education of the masses is
much neglected, and the schools which
have in many places been introduced
for public instruction are not we'll
patronized. AS have said before, the
men are we'll educated, the women but
specifically the former generally be-
ing good linguists, the ladies combining
their attentions mainly to the polite &C
mplishments. The position of the
women is pitiable to one accustomed to
the privileges given them in our
blessed land. Their actions are closely
watched and guarded, and they lead q
listless life, such as is distressing to
see. I have observed them lounge in
their hammocks nearly the entire day,
or hang over the iron balconies that
look down into tho street, AS if life was a
play day or a dream. They are very fond
Of ornaments and gaady attire on state
or festive occasions, but at homo have
little display upon their persons. Tho
children of the middle or lower classes,
at home or even in the streets, are seen
entirely nude, and even the young of
the higher class have AS little clothing
as decency will permit.
/ was amused at an account given by
Il gentleman connected with an Amer
lean house at Pernambuco, who said
that on one occasion he had distributed
from his ware room one thousand bags,
and thought he had clothed nearly all
the poor men of the neighborhood.
They took the bags and made them into
kind of petticoat, and these were the
ouly articles of dress that seemed to be
required. The higher class of gentle
men dress with great care and neatness.
The natives of Brazil are very excit-
able, arc fond of music and dancing,
and especially Of noise. Fireworks are
one of the successful importations, and
are displayed on all occasions, the noisy
part giving great satisfaction. They
are set off as much in daytime as at
night.
The climate is very weakening, there
being rainy and dry season, although
in many places tLers is no regularity.
For instance, in the City of PARA" it
is q common occurrence for business
men to make arrangements before or
after the rain. Tho showers come upon
short notice, so that you know not at
what moment the foodgates of heaven
may open upon you; consequently,
umbrellas are often carried, doing a
double duty as protection either
from the rain or sun. AS q general
thing, the people cannot be called
Clearly, and it is astonishing how
little water Is used. That for cleaning
purposes is always cold, as you cannot
prevail on o Brazilian to put his hands
in hot water. stood upon q bridge at
Pernambuco, and counted at one time
forty women washing soiled clothing in
the margin of stream. I think there
would be less sickness If more soap
and water were used; but great allow
ances have to be made for these people
on account of lack Of energy, caused,
doubtless, by the extreme neat.
Tho people pride themselves on their
politeness, and tho forms of etiquette
culOICcU duOuVeo blWObt W d Wodhuo6bs
think they would sooner forgive q
breach of principle than one of ETH
quette.
Foreigners are obliged to be very
careful not to indulge too much in
tropical fruits when they first 60 there
Too many expose themselves injudi'
ciously to the scorching rays Of the
sun, eat abundsntly Of the delicious
fruits, and sometimes drink quantities
of liquor, and consequently fall an easy
prey to the treacherous climate. It ia
stated that yellow fever nearly always
commences with men engaged in for.
eign shipping. If proper preoaution
were used, half the deaths would be
avoided. II is country of great rich
ness. but there is no doubt that when
foreign improvements become generally
introduced, and our sanitary laws
adopted. it will net be so undesirable
as place of abode.
At the present time, there are to be
seen many of our inventions, as we'll as
many from England. rendering a resi-
dence there more tolerable. The Bra
lillian race is diminutive one, the Ia
dies mostly pretty, with fine, black