RUFFIN ON MANURES. J. W. RANDOLPH has just published an essay on Calcareous Manures, by Edmund Ruffin, a practical Farmer of Virginia from 1812-founder and sole editor of the Farmers' Register, Mem- ber and Secretary of the former State Board of Agriculture; formerly Agricultural Surveyor of the State of South Carolina, and President of the Virginia State Agricultural Society. Fifth edition, amended and enlarged. This is an octavo edition, printed on fine white paper, and bound PLANTATION BOOK. Has published the Plantation and Farm Instruction, Regulation, Record, Inventory and Account Book, for the use of managers of estates, and for the better ordering and management of planta- tion and farm business, in every particular, by a southern Planter. Order is Heaven's first law- Pope. Price $2, or six for $10; a larger edition for the use of cotton plantations, price $2 50, or CONTENTS.-Actual number of pounds to a Bushel, articles received for use of Plantation, Brick- Kiln, Births of Negroes, Balance Sheet, Cows, Cultivation. Contents of a Corn Crib, Clothing There are extra sheets for monthly and yearly reports, for the use of those who do not live on stamps. This Book is by one of the best and most systematic farmers in Virginia; and experienced far- "Every farmer who will get one of these Books, and regulate all his movements by its sugges "It will prove a most valuable assistant to the planter, manager or overseer, and a work that will facilitate them greatly in the transaction of business."-Richmond Dispatch. "We hope many Farmers will buy the work aud make an effort to keep things straight." The form is concise and methodical, while it embraces every thing appropriate to such re- cords."-Plough. Loom and Anvil. "It is the result of mature experience and observation."-Methodist Quarterly Review. It is full of useful information."-Richmond Enquirer. A friend in whose judgment we have great confidence, and who is one of the best farmers in Virginia, assures us that this publication is one of real value to Southern agriculturalists." This book is for sale by J. W. Randolph, Richmond, and by all other Booksellers SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER. PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM-JNO. R. THOMPSON, EDITOR. VOL. XIX. RICHMOND, JANUARY, 1853. NO. 1. neighborhood continues to supply the de Notes and Commentaries, on a Voyage to mand. China. CHAPTER XVI. From the Italian's I went to the house of a lapidary, and, on the way, passed through the "Rua dos Plateros," wherein all workers in silver make and display their wares; Italian Naturalist; Lapidary; Feather Flow- whether the same reasons which brought all ers; Society; Character and appearance of the goldsmiths in London to Cheapside in ladies; A Soirée; Education; Religion; time of Edward III. operated in the present Character of Brazilians; Currency; Bank; case, I am not informed. At the lapidary's, Mint; Influence of European politics on we saw a variety of minerals, principally of Brazilian trade; A singular mode of arbi- the gem family, in form of native crystals, tration; Witnesses in capital cases; Social or cut for setting. The white topaz, called qualifications necessary to diplomatists; in Brazil "nova mina," gout d'eau, is very Sail from Rio; General View of Brazil; beautiful, and by those who are not skilled Navy. in the matter, may be mistaken for diamond. Amongst other gems exhibited, were quantities of topaz, aqua marine, honey-stone, opals, moonstones, (a variety of feldspar,) tourmalins, (Brazilian emeralds,) rubies, garnets, amethysts, &c., &c., besides pretty pieces of native gold. I visited, one day, the sanctum of an Italian naturalist, or rather collector of bugs, beasts, birds and snails. This man has resided some years at Rio, and manages to make his bread by selling specimens of natural history to the numerous strangers who One day we visited the shop of a polite visit this place. Amongst the English, the little Frenchwoman, who is a florist, in one manin for these things is most enthusiastic, sense, for she manufactures flowers of and they pay accordingly; the prices de- birds' feathers, and insects' wings. She manded are exhorbitant, because the speci- showed us all we thought curious in her shop, mens have not always the merit of being in which several slaves were at work, remonew, that is, hitherto unknown to the scien- ving the wings of insects, and preparing them tific christeners of the individuals of the na- to be made into flowers. Most of the intural kingdoms. To his avocation of collec-sects used for this purpose are of those spetor, this Italian unites that of portrait pain- cies which have hard wings; in different ter and picture dealer; but in this line, I am lights they assume an endless variety of iridnot a judge, and cannot venture to praise his wares. The variety and contrasting beauties of the numerous insects, the horrible size and speckled colors of the serpents, and the number of land shells found in the neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, were the chief objects of admiration. The man told me he kept a dozen slaves constantly abroad collecting varieties they are made to represent is surand preparing objects of natural history. prising; they are arrayed in simple bouquets, The number of those things constantly car-crowns, and wreaths for dresses. Sometimes ried away for the public museums and pri- artificial humming-birds are placed among vate cabinets of Europe, is so great, that I the flowers, which being made tremblante, do not wonder at the high prices obtained for as the florist said, possess a very natural apthem; my only astonishment is, that the pearance. VOL. XIX-1 escent shades. They also enter into the manufacture of jewelry, in form of brooches, ear-rings, bracelets, &c., set in fine gold, forming very light and beautiful ornaments, some of them even rivaling, in display of colors, the flashing opal. Flowers are composed of feathers of their natural colors, and the The number of dead insects and birds' skins | One evening I attended a musical soirée, in this shop was very great. When perfect and heard some pieces of the best composers specimens are brought in by the collectors, well performed. The ladies were seated althey are disposed of to amateurs to be placed together in close rows, as if at a public conin cabinets of natural history. cert, and so closely packed, that it was imOf the native society of Rio, my own ex- possible to pass between them; a nod, a smile perience enables me to say but little. The or a familiar threat of a fan, was therefore ladies have a reputation for abstemiousness all the recognition the beaux could obtain which, I am informed by an old resident, from the belles. The quantity, brilliance they do not merit. They eat more heartily, and costliness of the jewelry, were remarkaand partake of a much larger quantity of ble-necklaces of diamonds on fair, and of Lisbon wine, than is usual with ladies either green tourmalin (Brazilian emerald,) or toin Europe or North America. But they paz, or amethyst, on brunette bosoms, are are affectionate wives, obedient daughters, pretty enough when the wearer happens to and possess very amiable manners. They be young; but artificial flowers made entireare in every respect as exemplary in their ly of brilliants, in the heads of dark skinned conduct as the same classes in Europe and in dowagers of forty and upwards, though rich the United States. Foreigners are debarred in their look, are not to our taste. Fingerfrom their society in a great degree by not rings, bracelets, aigrettes and ear-rings, of speaking the language; but in the circles of every variety of gem, were worn in profuthe educated and intelligent, French is very sion; one might imagine that the contents of generally spoken, and strangers who have a jeweler's shop had been emptied in a progained admittance to them do not complain miscuous shower upon the company. of the pleasure or attentions received. Ever Of course the rooms were oppressively since the reformation of the political constitution in the time of Dom Pedro I., more attention has been paid to education than previously, and as a consequence, the tone of society will improve. warm; but thanks to the enterprize of our countrymen, and their benevolence in caring for the comforts of their fellow beings in all parts of the world, they were tempered by a plentiful supply of ices, a luxury which the Brazilians have derived from the United States. Ice creams are sold at the cafés, made of New England ice, brought here in American ships. The ladies of Brazil are remarkable for fairness of complexion, elasticity of step, fine figure, soft black hair, regularity of features, and melting dark eyes; but wanting the rosy blush of health, the physiognomy is incom- Music was not the only attraction nor the plete. This is attributable partly to climate, only source of pleasure offered. There were partly to dietetic habits, and partly to the cards for those gentlemen who had no ears customs of society. The soft rotundity of for sweet sounds, and about midnight, danlimb and person may be owing to the effects cing for the young, and towards day-dawn a of diet and climate, aided by passing their plentiful supper was spread, so that all tastes lives in luxurious ease and inactivity. They were cared for. Garlic, fat olives, and oil, seldom appear abroad; time, and a more free entered largely into the composition of most intercourse with foreigners, will break down of the native dishes; but our host had hospithe absurd notion of secluding females from tably provided turkeys, fowls and ham, served the gentle airs of heaven and the cheering up in a style to suit the palates of his forlight of the sun. That the climate has a eign guests, leaving us no cause of compowerful effect on feminine beauty in Brazil, plaint. The orange, the banana, the guava, is proved by the fact, that young ladies from Europe as well as from the United States, in the course of a year or two after their arrival, lose the roses from their cheeks, and acquire the soft, blond complexions of the Brazilian fair.* *Manual do Fazendiero. Rio de Janeiro, 1834. the pine-apple, &c., were among the fruits, and all were delicious. The wines were pure and old; and the table was adorned with many flowers unfamiliar to the ultra-tropic eye. As already stated, the Brazilians have devoted much attention to education, and now, almost without exception, well-bred Brazil tending slave, or left draggling in the mud. Street-sweeping skirts must have been invented to conceal the feet, and thus, perhaps, annul the necessity of wearing stockings, or to keep out of sight undarned rents in those ians speak French. The literature of France | shaded by a parasol. A remnant of the ancient is generally diffused among them. French fashion of wearing long trains to the gowns, medicine and medical theories prevail exclu- is sometimes seen, but worn gracefully over sively; even the medical text books of the the left arm, instead of being borne by an atcolleges are French. The change which has taken place in the past thirty years in public opinion on female education, is very remarkable in its effects. Formerly, women were regarded as toys, and therefore had no necessity for education beyond that which en- appendages of costume? abled them to read prayers in church. Now, The Brazilians are a passionate people, but however, ladies speak French, are musicians, they are neither malicious nor revengeful. and are skilled in ornamental needlework; They are cheerful and placid in their general plain sewing is left to the better class of deportment, usually confiding and unsuspislaves and French mantua-makers. In con- cious. Men of business did not formerly sequence of this change, ladies have come think of charging interest for the use of even to occupy a higher position in Brazilian society, and are regarded as suitable companions for men. large sums of money for a few days, or even weeks, but the Anglo-Saxons have taught them that it is proper to look to their interest account. They have an undefined repugnance to foreigners. They are opposed Religion is not much insisted on by the Brazilians. It is a common remark that almost all the priests and monks, in spite of to immigration, because they fancy that fortheir vows of celibacy, have families; their eigners would, if here in large numbers, take sons and daughters are termed nephews and away from them entirely, all power in connieces. The physiological laws of man's or- trolling the affairs of the country. They feel ganization are more potent than the conven- the want of laborers and mechanics, but they tional rules of the church. Bastardy seems will not encourage foreign immigrants. They to be a recognized condition of society; I prefer slaves and the slave-trade, although have seen several medical theses in print by they do not find capital thus invested to authors who announce themselves as the le- be productive. In fact, some of the coffeegitimate sons of persons named. I am told planters lose on large crops even when sold that deism, and even atheism exist to a very at fair prices. It is said that negroes on the great extent. The clergy are paid small sala- coffee plantations are shorter lived than those ries; they receive fees for marriages, births, who work on the sugar estates, which is the baptisms and burials. The Bishop of Rio has reverse of Cuba and other islands of the an annual salary of only about twelve hun- West Indies. Brazilians are said to be kind dred dollars. to their slaves. Sunday shines no Sabbath day at Rio, be- The laws of Brazil do not permit impris ing confined within the walls of convents onment for debt, and it is next to impossible and churches, venturing no farther into by law to force an unwilling debtor to pay; the open air than the steps and belfreys, still credit is given for four, eight and twelve where squibs and rockets are fired, which months, and even two years, but the state of constitute a considerable part of the religious public opinion is such that failure to meet ceremony. Many shops, the fancy stores pecuniary engagements of this kind is rare. particularly, are open, and most things may The currency of Brazil is constantly flucbe purchased as well on the Sabbath as on tuating in value. It consists exclusively of any other day. But having no show-win- irredeemable treasury paper and copper. It dows, as in Philadelphia and New York, the is reckoned in mills, called "reis." The goods are displayed at the doors, and there- smallest coin is a vintem, or twenty reis; fore not to advantage. There are now more there is a coin of eighty reis, equal in weight ladies met in a morning than formerly. to four American cents, called often by forThey generally go abroad in black, with the eign sailors "dumps." The patacoon or hair dressed and without bonnets, simply mil-rei, of silver, is nominally one thousand ister of finance states in a recent report, that persons capable of working it are wanting. reis, but is marked 960, and is worth forty to specie, would save labor and expense. reis or mills less than the dollar. The ob- The Brazilian government possesses all the ject of this depreciation was to prevent the necessary apparatus for coining, but the minexportation of specie; but it was soon found that the patacoons were exported at the nominal value, and afforded a profit of forty mills May 17th.-After dinner to-day we rowed on each. The patacoon is divided in three round the island of Cobras, which is within patacs of sixteen vintems, or 320 reis each; an eighth of a mile of the city. A fortress but there is no coin of this denomination in sadly in want of repairs covers it, and on the circulation. Four hundred reis or twenty outside of the walls are buildings for the safevintems, make one "cruzado," and one keeping of stores for the navy, which are thousand millreis or patacoons make one thus under the protection of the guns of the "conto." When we arrived, silver dollars fort. were worth 1,820 mills in paper, but they The condition of Europe exerts a powerhave risen to 2,050 mills: it is conjectured ful influence on the commercial world here. that paper will still fall and silver appreciate When disturbed by great political changes, in proportion, until the political state of Eu- or a prospect of them, business is tardy berope is settled. cause shippers of coffee to Hamburg, France I heard remarks by an experienced mer- or Italy, are reluctant to confide their prochant here on the subject of the currency. perty to European consignees who may be, He submitted that the treasury should coin possibly, rendered bankrupt by political revall the silver which comes into its possession olutions. Here coffee is the great article of in pieces of small denomination, because it export. Farmers depend on the sale of it would secure small coin for the common dai- to obtain cash for their various necessary ly traffic, and not be likely to accumulate in purchases; if coffee will not sell, they are the hands of speculators. It would be very without means. The rich are afraid to buy difficult if not impossible, for example, to or make investments, and those who have collect in New York or Philadelphia, five goods are anxious to convert them into mothousand dollars in dimes and half-dimes.ney. It would be more profitable to buy exchange At the Porton Vermelho to-day, we had a at a handsome premium, than to be at the conversation with an English resident, who cost and labor of such collections. There is related that one of his friends had been fora "banco commercial," but it has not a right ced, while in the country, to act as arbitrato issue notes. It is a discount bank exclu- tor, on a point in dispute between some rude sively, and charges a premium for taking Brazilians. They placed him in a barrel at care of deposits. Merchants require a bank the head of a flight of stairs. The parties of discount, issue and deposit, in order to fa- then stated the case and argued it warmly. cilitate commercial transactions. A bank of One brandished a club over his head, declarthis kind, limited in the rate of dividend on ing he should feel the weight of it, if he its stock, would be entirely worthy of confi- should dare to decide the case against him. dence. It was argued that the sub-treasury The other party made a similar threat, adsystem of the United States must be embar-ding that he would roll him, barrel and all, rassing to men of business, because it requires down stairs, if the decision was not in his duties to be paid at the custom house in spe- favor. The forced judge was in great concie. It is a good day's work to count ten sternation, because it was plain he was to be thousand pieces of coin; it would therefore beaten, if not murdered, no matter how he require a whole day to count $40,000 in five might decide. At the moment seeing two dollar pieces, and four days in dollars. The police officers pass, he called upon them to number of clerks in the custom house must release him, but they were alarmed by the therefore be augmented; and, therefore, the angry contention of the parties, and crying sub-treasury system must be an unnecessa-out, "they will murder him; let us not witrily expensive method of collecting the rev-ness the act," took to their heels. Their A bank whose paper is equivalent conduct was not a result of fear or want of enue. |