Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-04-23
Customs Of Brazil.


There has been much written about this
tropical land. yet people appear 10 have
but a vague idea Of the manners and Gus
toms Of its inhabitants. After a short So
iourn there, ] gained by personal observa-
tion little Information which gladly
give, hoping II may benefit my friends. In
the FIRST place, the country 10 not para.
disc, as many represent II; the climate Is
enervating; and the air, heavy with its
superabundanoe Of vegetation, causing q
lassitude more easily felt than explained.
Along the coast, the sea breezes make It
more endurable, but the heat IN most
places is oppressive, owing to the scorch-
ing rays OF the sun. The inhabitants lux.
uriate as much as possible In the open air.
Their dwellings are not comfortable, those
OF the rich being mostly built Of brick with
tile fronts, clay roofs and hoon, plenty Of
space, doors and windows; they are damp
and chilly during the rainy season, not be-
ing heated, no dre being used, except q
little for cooking purposes; the result Is
they have close, mouldy smell, which, II
healthy, is certainly most uncomfortable;
the vault-like air is depressing, aud the
mould covered walls or gateWays and out
buildings are most distressing in appear
anee ~ foreigners. Sleeping in on apart
ment at Para at one Of the best hotels, /
found no means Of ventiating my room,
except a round hole over the door, which
resembles port-hole. This received the
air from the courtyard, the hotel being
built in hollow square. imagined my
self in a sepulchre, and found It impossi.
BILE TO Sleep The dwellings Of the poor
are mostly OF sticks and clay, covered with
a roof OF leaves or matted grass, with an
opening TO represent a door. Furniture is
looked upon as an ornament it is made Of
strong wood, with cane seated chairs and
sofas; carpets are only used in the parlors
or drawing rooms Of the most wealthy;
bedsteads aud beds are merely ornamental,
hammocks being greatly preferred; these
are hung in places TO suit the whm Of the
sleeper. They are very suitable for the
country, as il is almost impossible TO pre-
vent a mattress being eaten up by the YER
min. a person is obliged TO practice con-
siderable art in the use Of hammock. |
was amused at II gentleman from New
York, relating his experience in one. He
had blown out his light and retired; he
was annoyed by lizard running over bis
feet, and not enjoying such company, he
sprang out and lighted his candle, 10 wage
war upon the intruder Upon getting In
again, he turned a complete summersault
ed me that heneeforth he would prefer a
mat or some banana leaves on the earthen
| floor, such as the poor enjoy, 10 such bat
tered head. The cooking in Brazil is very
different from ours. For instance. any
amount Of meat is used with scarcity Of
vegetables, being dressed with onions, or
oil, or rice, The coffee is most delicious,
being made on the Turkish plan, Upon
arising in the morning the custom is to
take good strong cup Of coffee, and bis
cult, or piece Of bread At eleven O'Clock
breakfast is served, and dinner between six
and seven. The Brazlians observe strict
etiquette at their meals. Course after
course is served, principally Of different
kinds Of meats, and fish, and dessert, (of
docie) or preserves and cheese; the latter
is imported, and is considered a luxury
| Following this, comes wine and liquor
| The native whisky, or rum, is made from
the sugar-cane, and is considered very ex-
cellent. But little water is INDUCED in
Ice is now being used i'm the principal
cities, being manufactured. Strangely
the natives care little for it. was anus
ed at gentleman from the city of Para
who mentioned the case of a man who tried
to introduce an ice-cream garden in that
tropical city. He said that the native gem
| tlemen would come in parties with ladies,
order one small plate for company Of Ave
or six, and ask for several spoons to eat out
Of one dish. This was not done to save,
but because a little satisfied them. OF
course, the enterprise was not a success.
Our Americans are certainly very wise
to push their improvements into Brazil as
much as possible, for the sake of foreign
trade; but at present it is rather poor
place, money being very scarce. To sue
oeed in venture Of this kind, it is neces.
sary to provide a responsible representa-
tive, as all business interests require the
utmost care, or else failures follow. Some
have called on the eOnsuls to act, but no
consul receiving above a certain salary is
not allowed by the United States Govern
ment to engage in any but consular busi-
ness.
1t Is ia good place for canned butter, in a
business point Of view, as milk is a luxury
seldom used. The grass is not suitable
for grazing purposes, therefore COWS are
| fed principally upon American hay; north.
ern butter, therefore, would probably have
q good sale. Many imagine 1t a nne farm
ing country, and so it is; but It is danger
ous to foreigners. and IL is only the ma
tives who are accustomed to the scorching
successfully work the ground.
The color line in Brazil Is almost lost,
Brazilians marrying Portuguese, they ne
groes, until their blood is completely mix
ed. was told by a Lieutenant In our
navy, who visited a very elegant Brazilian
family, where the gentlemen were we'll ed
ucated, the ladies, beautiful and accom-
plished, that on being introduced TO the
| grandmother, she was found TO be a ne
gress Of course this is not a common oc-
currence. The prevailing religion is RO-
man Catholic. There are many priests,
aud the people are devoted TO their faith.
His majesty, Dom Pedro, Is very liberal in
his religious views. The inhabitants are
very kindly disposed TO foreigners; are
hospitable and willing to give any desired
information relative to their country. The
higher classes are we'll educated and cUur-
teous in their manners. Republicanism is
fast gaining grounds, although at present
a decided movement In that direction
would be premature, neither the ananoiers
or the people being prepared for IL. The
gradual emancipation Of slavery Is, and
will be, great advantage TO this country,
The slaves, as a general thing, are not well
treated. As the world is fast becoming
too enlightened for this traffic, it will not
be long before all humanity will rejoice In
the sweets Of liberty. The education OF
the masses is much neglected, and the
schools which have in many places been in
trodueed for public instruction are mol
we'll patronized, As ] have said before
the men are we'll educated. the women bui
superhciallyi the former generally being
good linguists, the ladies ooniining then
attention TO the polite accomplishments
The position Of the women Is most pitiablI
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