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are articles in which the Brasilian gentry endeavour to excel; and sometimes they proceed in this point to the most ridiculous extreme. I once observed at Rio a chair completely loaded with cupids and other emblematic carving, and carried by two robust blacks, clothed in a light blue silk jacket, short pantaloons, and a petticoat over them (similar to that of a waterman,) the whole deeply vandyked with a red pink. This flaming dress formed so strange a contrast with their delicate skins, for they were without either shoes or stockings, that it seemed altogether the completest burlesque on equipage that could possibly have been attempted.

"It appears to foreigners a strange deprivation to which the females of this country are subjected, who cannot pass the streets without being closely shut up in a chair, or secluded in a cabriole; yet such is the force of custom, that none are seen openly except within doors.

"Bahia has a Portuguese comic theatre, under the management of an Italian. The house, with us, would be termed a barn, and its avenues are so dirty as to render the going to it very disagreeable. The actors, drama, and scenery, are equally wretched; the music is the best, and only tolerable, part of the performance.

"The chief amusements of the citizens are the feasts of the different saints, professions of nuns, sumptuous funerals, the holy or passion week, &c. which are all celebrated in rotation with grand ceremonics, a full concert, and frequent processions. Scarcely a day passes that

some one or other of these festivals does not occur; and thus is presented a continued round of opportunities for uniting devotion and pleasure, which is eagerly embraced, particularly by the ladies. On grand occasions of this kind, after coming from church, they visit each other, and have a more plentiful dinner than common under the term banquet ;* during and after which they drink unusual quantities of wine; and, when elevated to an extraordinary pitch, the guitar or violin is introduced, and singing commences but the song soon gives way to the enticing negro dance. I use this term as best assimilating with the amusement in question, which is a mixture of the dances of Africa, and the fandangoes of Spain and Portugal. It consists of an individual of each sex dancing to an insipid thrumming of the instrument, always to one measure, with scarcely any action of the legs, but with every licentious motion of the body, joining in contact during the dance in a manner strangely immodest. The spectators, aiding the music with an extemporary chorus, and clapping of the hands, enjoy the scene with an undescribable zest. The orgies of the dancing girls in India never equalled the flagrancy of this diversion. It is not that minuets or country dances are not known, and practised by the higher circles; but this is the national dance, and all classes are happy when, throwing aside punctilio and reserve, and, I may add, decency, they can indulge in the interest and raptures it excites. The effect of this scene on a stranger can hardly

be

A few of the superior classes give elegant entertainments, have family concerts, balls, and card parties.

be conceived; and though, as an amusement, it may be intentionally harmless, it certainly breaks down the barriers of decency, and of course paves the way to depravity and vice.

"These amusements, with par ties into the country, and a few others of a trifling nature, added to the enervating idleness in which the Brasilians are plunged, constitute their whole happiness; a happiness

very incomplete and unsatisfactory, while subject to the effects of those baleful passions, avarice, revenge, and cruelty. Happily, however, the two latter have considerably declined from Bahia to the southward; as. sassination there is seldom known to take place, and never but on the greatest provocation: though still in use, the lurking knife is sheathed, and murders are scarcely more common than with us."

VOL. XLVII.

32

CONTENTS:

CONTENTS.

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

CHAP. I.

Opening of the Session of Parliament-Substance of his Majesty's Speech-
Address moved for in the House of Lords, by Lord Elliot-Seconded by
Lord Gwydir-Debate-Address carried unanimously-Moved in the
Commons by the Hon. Mr. Dillon-Debate-Mr. Fox-Mr. Pitt-Mr.
Windham.--Agreed to without further Opposition-Presented to the
King-Inquiry into the Causes of the late Mahratta War-Mr. Francis's
Motion agreed to, thereon.-Supplies moved for and granted-Spanish
Papers laid before the House-Army Estimates-Debate thereon--Re-
solutions put and agreed to.

1

CHAP. II.

Parliamentary Proceedings continued-Motion made by Sir Evan Nepean
for the Continuation of the Act for suspending the Habeas Corpus in Ire-
Land-Debate-Sir John Newport-Mr. D. Brown-Hutchinson-Sir
John Stuart-Mr. Windham-Pitt-Fox-Lord de Blaquiere-Mr.
Alexander-Martin-Dawson-Division-Motion carried.-Debates on
the Rupture with Spain-in the Lords-Lord Mulgrave moves an Address
of Thanks to the King for the Production of the Papers relating thereto.
Speeches of Earl Spencer-Viscount Sidmouth-Lord King-Eart of
Darnly-Lord Grenville-Hawkesbury.-Address carried without a Divi-

sion.

9

CHAP. III.

Parliamentary Proceedings continued.-Discussion of the Rupture with Spain
in the House of Commons.-Debate.-Speeches of Mr. Pitt-Grey-
Amendment upon the Motion of Address of Thanks for the Production of
the Papers moved-Substance thereof-opposed by Lord Castlereagh-sup-

322

ported

ported by Earl Temple-Speech of Sir John Nicholl-Debate adjourned-
resumed next Day-Mr. Raine-Bankes-H. Addington-Dr. Lawrence
-Mr. Fox-Pitt-Division-Original Address carried (the Amendment
being negatived) by a great Majority.-Votes of the House of Commons
for the Miscellaneous Services of the Year.

20

CHAP. IV.

Parliamentary proceedings continued.-Motion of Lord Darnly, in the
House of Lords, for the Repeal of the Additional Force Bill.-Debate
thereon-Speeches of the Earl of Camden-Suffolk-Lord King-Duke of
Cumberland-Earl Spencer-Viscount Sidmouth-Duke of Clarence
Lord Mulgrave-Grenville - Melville- Division-Motion Lost-Pro-
ceedings in the House of Commons, on the Second Reading of the Bill for
the Suspension of the Irish Habeas Corpus Act.-Division thereon-Go.
vernment Successful-Budget-Supplies-Ways and Means-New Taxes
-Short Discussion thereon.

29

CHAP. V.

Parliamentary Proceedings continued.-Short Discussion in the House of
Lords, upon the Suspension of the Irish Habeas Corpus.-Debate in the
House of Commons on the Defence of the Country.-Opened by Mr. Wind-
ham.-Motion made by him.-Opposed by Mr. Canning.-Division.-Mo-
tion lost.-Bill for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, thrown out by a small
Majority.-Debate on the Continuation of the Commission for the Enquiry
into Naval Abuses.-Division thereon.-Opposition to the Salt Duty Tax.
-Bill carried on a Division.—Mr. Sheridan's Motion for the Repeal of
the Additional Force Bill.-Debate.-Mr. Pitt-Windham-Lord Cas-
tlereagh.-Motion lost upon a Division.-Debate in the House of Lords on
the Defence of the Country.-Division.-Case of the Sheriffs of Middlesex.
--Committed to Newgate.-The Agricultural Horse Duty Bill thrown out
on the Second Reading.-Salt Duty Bill carried upon a Division.

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34

CHAP. VI.

Parliamentary Proceedings continued.—Irish Budget.—Division in the House
of Lords, upon a Clause in the Mutiny Bill.—Mr. Pitt's Plan for the
Reduction of the Militia brought forward. — Read a first Time, after some
Opposition.-Supplementary Budget.-Division on the Legacy Tax.-
Bills brought in to restrain the Issue of Paper Money in Ireland-And for
the Repair of the Post Roads, in that Country-To regulate the Powers
prescribed to the East India Company, in their Nomination of a Commander

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