Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1900-12-12
REV. G r. WOMELDORF
TALKS ON BRAZIL.

Rev. G. r. Womeldorf, of Moranhan
Erazil, vii be read with interest b
many GAZETTE readers. Mr.. Womel
dorf ha been in Brazil for tie past fv
years, having been assigne1 to tie tow
named above, which has a population
IF sbout 10000. Speaking OF his work
* eriences and observa ions in tn
great South American Republic, h,
add
cit seems hard for people 10 realize
that Brazil is just little larger thar
tie United States, but such is the fact
All protestant denominations have mis-
sionar;es in Brazil. Tie government
f rme after our, and the people
ire as role courteous and hospitable.
All If tn nat.v, IRE natural m sicians,
aid their language which requires
about ' ear to master, is musical.
The only opposition the missionaries
encounter is from relIgipu view, but
once we get person in crested in our
work it is practically accomplished.
"The people are indolent. The ILL.,
teracy among the p ople is large so
per cent. being unable to read or write. !
Within the past few years, Lowever,
this percentage was reduced ON 90
per cent, Much interest is shown in
the educational institutions, and the
government has separate Church ard
State and the progress of tie country
will be more marked. In a Presbyter.
ian sc lool at Sac Paulo there are 600
pupils, the better class of people man : !
testing desire to educate their child
rem,
GAS rule, the natives have not or
exhal ed idea CT morals No lady can
venture on the street alone. When
women meet there is double kiss on
the cheek and the men embrace. Lit.
tie attention is paid to drinking, liq-
uors being sold by all storekeepers,
LIVING CONES HIGH.
diving is high in Brazil We only |
have bread once day, rice taking the
place of bread. The import duties on
-four raises the price 10 SIS per barrel, |
and everything is high IN proportion.
Rice, grown In Brazil, sells for fifteen
cents per pound. The PEOPLE are too
azy TO work, sub istirg largely on
fruits. If you were to hire man of
81 day he would work just two days,
whereas if you pay him 80 per day he
viii work one day--just enough to
meet his actual needs is all he wants.
LEIRosY COLONY.
"There is great deal of leprosy at
doranham, just outside OF the town
here being colony of forty seven
,eople in various stages of the disease.
Some of them present horrible sigh
The disease is not, according to tie be-
lei of the natives, contagious. The
"a ives mingle freely with the lepers.
nd there are more than the number
the colony who live ia the city. II
lany Of the men are leprous, and it is
lot an uncommon sight to see children
rho are victims of the disease. l.
MODE OF LIVING. IL
"The supply of fruits is always good
nd when fellow gets enough for his
use he simply quits work
cts in his hammock and sleeps and
nokes. They are pretty honest, fer "
10 "homes" generally consist OF a
led, posts for hammocks, and no wal s,
r there is no need of protection
'ainst the weather Except rain), the W
ermometer ranging from so to IS XII
e year round.
Help of all kinds is indifferent and tn
pensiye, though American money is
'r'h four to one of Brazilian money
to eight years Of age Children wear ~
clothes at all, and as we get out into
, interior we fine nat yes who wear
y short skirt, until far back we ~
re tribes o. Indians who are entirely
lie. ne'
Brazil is great country, and with
tile progressiveness by the people up
nense resources would be develop. ]
There are almost inexhaustible poy
veins, yet coal is carried there
n America. Then there are all
Is of ores and minerals, while tie 4