RIO DE JANEIRO.
_December 30th._—It was quite a trial to bid adieu to the charms of
San Aliexo. My kind host and hostess were earnest in their
persuasions to detain me through the holidays; and I would most
readily have yielded, but for an engagement to officiate, on
Christmas morning, at the marriage of Miss K——, the daughter of the
American consul, to Mr. R—— of the family of that name, already so
often mentioned. The groom, though a native of Brazil, claims,
through his father, the rights of a British subject; and the civil
contract took place, in conformity with an act of parliament, in the
presence of the British consul, at his office, at an early hour of
the day. The marriage was afterwards solemnized by me, according to
the Protestant service, in the drawing-room of the American
consulate; and, Mr. R—— being a Romanist, a third ceremony occurred,
as at the wedding of Miss R——, his sister, last August, in the
private chapel of the country house of Mr. M——, his maternal
grandfather.
The company assembled at the consulate was large, and the retinue of
carriages by which it was conveyed the long drive to Mr. M——’s,
quite imposing. Four-in-hand is the usual turn-out here, for such a
distance, and Mr. Schenck, the American minister, led the way, next
after the bride and groom, in an elegant chariot drawn by four
beautiful white horses. Commodore McKeever’s carriage had four fine
mules. I was of his party. The sky was slightly overcast with fleecy
clouds, and the coachman’s box being so lofty as to overlook the
walls and hedges, which screen so much of the taste and beauty of
the suburbs from view on the level of the street, in defiance of
every Brazilian idea of dignity, I perched myself upon it, for the
greater enjoyment of the drive. The day being a general festival,
the whole population of the city was in the streets in holiday
dress; and in the extended suburbs through which we skirted our way,
the inhabitants—by whole families—were everywhere seen in the
verandahs and lawns and door-yards of the houses, in the cheerful
and quiet enjoyment of the fiesta. A fondness for splendor and
display of every kind—in dress, furniture and equipage—is strikingly
a characteristic of the people here; and the showy procession,
recognized as a bridal cortège, created quite a sensation as it
dashed onward—manifestly exciting the admiration and lively
sympathies of the observers.
From my elevated and unconfined position, I enjoyed the whole much;
and feasted, the entire distance, on the gorgeous display of
flowers, exhibited in the succession of tasteful gardens and
pleasure-grounds which I overlooked.
The mansion and grounds of Mr. M—— I described to you in connection
with the previous wedding. The religious ceremony now, was the same
in every particular, from the scattering of the rose leaves and
orange buds before the bride in the procession from the drawing-room
to the chapel, to the showering of the same over her and the whole
company, with the closing benedictions at the altar. A concert in
the music-room immediately succeeded the ceremony, and continued
till the banquet was served at six o’clock. This was more luxurious,
if possible, in the variety and costliness of its delicacies, native
and foreign, in season and out of season, than on the former
occasion; and superb in its table-service and plate. The decorations
in flowers alone, would, in a less favored climate, have formed no
inconsiderable item of expense; while the fruits, in the perfection
of their kinds—all freshly gathered—pines, figs, oranges,
sweet-lemons, grapes in clusters like those of Eshcol, bananas,
mangoes, and melons, were most artistically arranged. After coffee
in the drawing-room, dancing was commenced; and, taking our leave,
we were safely on board ship shortly after ten o’clock.
Thus passed my Christmas, and thus is our compatriot, Miss K——,
married; and, in the language of the world, “well married.” But
alas! married in Brazil: away from an American home; away from the
intelligence and high cultivation of American life; away from the
pure morals, spiritual aspirations, and religious privileges of
American Christianity; away from almost every thing that I would
wish an American girl to hold most dear!
_January 7th, 1852._—This festive period of the year presents
constant opportunities of witnessing the slave and negro population
in holiday aspects. For many nights past, Gloria Hill, at which the
Commodore’s barge usually lands in our evening visits to the shore,
has echoed till a late hour with the songs, the wild music, and the
tread of the dance in their favorite amusements; and yesterday
afternoon, I accidentally became a spectator of a grand gathering of
the kind. It was “Twelfth” or “King’s day,” as sometimes
called,—being that commemorative of the adoration of the Magi in the
stable of Bethlehem; and is a chief festival with the negroes.
I left the ship with the intention of taking, once more, the long
walk through the valley of the Larangeiras to the aqueduct, and
thence to the city by the hill of Santa Theresa. When about half way
up the Larangeiras, however, my attention was arrested by a large
gathering of negroes within an enclosure by the wayside, engaged in
their native, heathen dances, accompanied by the wild and rude music
brought with them from Africa. I stopped to witness the scene: a
counterpart, in most respects, to those which, during the first
period of my residence at the Sandwich Islands, attended the orgies
of pagan revelry there. Many of the principal performers, both among
the dancers and musicians, were dressed in the most wild and
grotesque manner—some, as if in impersonation of the Prince of Evil
himself, as pictured with hoof and horns and demoniac mien. Many of
the dances surpassed in revolting licentiousness, any thing I
recollect to have witnessed in the South Seas; and filled my mind
with melancholy disgust: the more so, from the fact, that a
majority, if not all the performers, as was manifest from the
crosses and amulets they wore, were baptized members of the Romish
Church—Christians in name, but in habits and in heart heathens
still. Exhibitions of this kind are far from being limited here to
extraordinary holidays, or to the seclusion of by-places. I have
seen them in open daylight, in the most public corners of the city,
while young females even, of apparent respectability and modesty,
hung over the surrounding balconies as spectators.
I know not how long the revelry had now been going on; but either
from the free use of _cacha_, the vile rum of the country, or from
nervous excitement, many seemed fairly beside themselves. These
danced till ready to drop from exhaustion; while shouts of
encouragement and applause followed the persevering efforts of those
who were most enduring and most frantic in muscular exertion. The
performers on the African drums and other rude instruments, who
accompanied the monotonous beating and thrumming upon these with
loud songs, in solo and chorus, of similar character, seemed
especially to enter into the spirit of the revelry, and labored with
hands and voice and a vehemence of action in their whole bodies,
that caused the sweat to roll down their naked limbs as if they had
just stepped from a bath of oil.
By the time I had finished these observations, the evening was too
far advanced for the walk upon which I had started, and I retraced
my steps to the Catete, the principal street, connecting the city
with the bay and suburbs of Botefogo. In it, toward evening, the
wealth and fashion of the city, especially in the diplomatic and
foreign circles, is generally met in carriages and on horseback for
the daily afternoon drive. Many of the equipages equal in elegance
those in New York and other of our chief cities; while well-mounted
riders, liveried coachmen, footmen, and grooms, give to the whole
quite the air of a metropolis. That, however, which most struck me
on the present occasion, was an amusing side-scene. Though less
generally the custom than formerly, it is still the habit of some of
the _bourgeoisie_ of Rio, at least on Sundays and great holidays, to
promenade to and from church, by whole families, parents and
children, from adults to infants, with a retinue of servants—in
their best dresses, and in formal procession of two and two. The
sight thus presented is interesting, and often amusing, from the
formality and stately solemnity with which they move along. The
servants bring up the rear, and, whether male or female, are usually
as elaborately, if not as expensively dressed as the rest of the
family: and often, in the case of the women, with an equal display
of laces, muslins, and showy jewelry. Apparently in imitation of
this usage of the white population—or rather of the Portuguese and
Brazilian, for there are no whites among the native born here—two
jet black African women, richly and fashionably attired, came
sauntering along with the most conscious air of high-bred
self-possession. They were followed by a black female servant, also
in full dress, carrying a black baby three or four months old, and
decked out in all the finery of an aristocratic heir—an elaborately
wrought, lace-frilled and rosetted cap, and long flowing robe of
thin muslin beautifully embroidered, and ornamented with lace. Every
one seemed struck with this display; and I was at a loss to
determine whether it was a bona fide exhibition of the pride of
life, or only in burlesque of it, with the design of “shooting folly
as it flies.” The common blacks, crowding the doors and gateways,
burst into shouts of laughter as they passed; while the nurse, at
least, of the party showed evidence of a like disposition. Indeed, I
think I did not mistake, while looking back upon the group, in
seeing the fat sides and shoulders of the black ladies themselves,
notwithstanding their lofty bearing and stately step, shake with
merriment, under the slight drapery of their fashionable and
elegantly finished mantillas.
These may have been persons of wealth, and of respectable and even
fashionable position in society; for color does not fix the social
position here, as with us at home. It is a striking fact, that in a
country where slavery exists in its most stringent form, there is
little of the Anglo-Saxon prejudice in this respect, so universal in
the United States. Condition, not color, regulates the grades in
social life. A slave is a menial, not because he is black, but
because he is a slave. In Brazil, all the avenues to wealth and
office are open to the free man of color, if he has character and
talents, and the ability to advance in them. As I recollect to have
stated before, the officers of the standing army and of the
municipal guards and militia, exhibit every shade of color as they
stand side by side in their ranks; and I learn from Gov. Kent, that
the leading lawyer of Rio is a mulatto. Some of the members of
Congress, too, bear evidence of negro blood; and the Governor says,
that he has met at the Imperial balls in the palace the “true ebony
and topaz” in “ladies and gentlemen black as jet,” yet glittering,
like the rest, with diamonds.
As to the general treatment of slaves by their owners, it probably
does not differ in Brazil from that exhibited wherever there is
irresponsible power. House-servants in Rio are said to have easy
times, and to do very much as they please; but to judge by the
instances I have seen of field laborers, I fear such have but a sad
and wearisome life.
The eventual effect of the abolition of the slave trade, will
doubtless be to ameliorate the treatment of the slaves, and
particularly that of their children. In former years, when the price
of a slave was only a hundred and twenty milreis, or about sixty
dollars, it seemed to have passed into a settled principle, as a
mere matter of profit and pecuniary calculation, that it was cheaper
to “use up” the blacks by constant hard labor, and by extorting from
them the utmost profit, and when they sunk under it to make new
purchases, than to raise children or to extend the term of service
by more moderate labor; but now, when the price of a slave has
advanced to six and seven hundred dollars, the estimates in the
economy of the case will be different; and both parents and children
will fare better.
The incidental mention of the annoyance experienced by Mr. M—— of
San Aliexo, in getting admittance into the country of the machinery
requisite for the establishment of his factory, except by the
payment of enormous duties, reminds me of noting some facts
connected with the regulations of the Custom House here, derived
from authority on the subject so reliable as my friend, the American
Consul. These are a source of continual disgust to foreigners,
particularly to masters of vessels, and those engaged in maritime
matters. They are fifty years behind the age: reach to every minute
particular, and seem to be framed with especial reference to fines
and penalties. Indeed, one of the items in the annual estimates of
expected receipts by the government, is fines on foreign vessels;
and to seize and fine, appears to be a fixed purpose of the
officials. A few pounds of tea, a pig, cups and saucers, and other
small articles of the kind, not on the list of stores, or in the
judgment of the visiting inspector an extra number for the size of
the vessel, are at once seized and sold at auction at the Custom
House door, to swell the receipts of the Imperial treasury. It is
said that nothing but a metallic substance, held before the eyes, or
placed in the palm of the hands, will prevent these petty seizures.
Sometimes the articles seized are of considerable worth, and, in
addition to the loss of their value, would lead to the imposition of
a heavy fine. No discrimination or distinction seems to be made
between cases of accident, ignorance, good faith and honest
intentions, and those of designed and evident attempts to smuggle or
to evade the law.
It makes no difference whether there is more or less in the shipment
than the manifest calls for; if too much, then it is evidence of a
design to smuggle the excess—if too little, it is evidence of fraud
on the other side. The bed they make is that of Procrustes. If there
is a barrel of flour—or any other article—more or less in the cargo
than in the manifest, a forfeiture and fine follow with unyielding
certainty. One regulation is, that a master shall give in a list of
his stores within twenty-four hours after his arrival. This, it is
expected, will include every thing. But it is impossible to know to
what extent at times the regulation will be carried. In one
instance, recently, a hawser—which had been used, and was in a long
coil on deck, ready for immediate use again, and was necessary for
the safe navigation of the ship,—was seized, on the ground that it
was not in the list rendered. The master remonstrated, and set forth
the facts—protesting that he should as soon have included his masts
and boats, his anchors and cables, as this hawser; but all the
authorities of the Custom House refused to give it up, and the
vessel sailed without it. It was only after the question had been
pending a long time before the higher authorities, on the strong
representation of the American Minister, that restoration to the
proper owners was made.
No person is allowed to go on board any vessel, before the discharge
of the cargo, without a custom house permit. A poor sailor, a Greek
by birth, who came here in an American vessel, and was discharged at
his own request, was passing an English vessel in a boat a few days
afterwards, and being thirsty, asked for a drink of water: the man
on board told him to come up the side and get it. He did so, and
after drinking the water returned to his boat. A guard-boat saw and
arrested him. He pleaded entire ignorance of the regulation of the
port, but in vain: he was fined a hundred milreis, and being unable
to pay, was sentenced to be imprisoned one hundred days, or at the
rate of a day for each milreis of the fine. He was eventually
released, however, through the intervention of Gov. Kent.
Even the consul of a foreign nation must obtain a written permit
before he can visit a vessel of his own nation, till she is
discharged. The permit in any case is in force only for a single
day. It must, too, be stamped at a cost of eight cents. Indeed,
every paper of an official nature must be stamped. No note or bill
of exchange is valid, unless stamped within thirty days of its date:
the duty or the stamp being proportioned to the amount of the note
or bill. The revenue derived by the government from this source, is,
of course, large.
The want of confidence, indicated by the minuteness and rigid
exactment of these custom-house regulations, is said to be a
characteristic trait of the people. There is great external civility
towards each other; many bows are exchanged, and frequent pinches of
snuff, and there is an abundance of polite and complimentary speech;
but, full and frank confidence in the intentions, purposes and words
of those with whom they deal, seems to be greatly wanting. Some
light may be gained upon this point from the fact that by public
opinion, by the criminal code, and by the actual administration of
the law, offences against the person are looked upon as of a higher
grade than the _crimen falsi_. To strike a man in the street with
the open palm, and even under extreme provocation, is the great
crime next to murder; and so of all offences against the person. An
assault is considered an insult and an indignity, as well as a
breach of the peace.
Direct stealing is visited with condign punishment; but all the
crimes coming under the charge of obtaining money or goods under
false pretences, and those involving forgery, lying, deception and
fraud of all kinds, seem to meet with more lenient treatment.
Convictions in cases of such crimes are not often obtained, and when
they are, the sentences are very light. A short time ago, a very
congratulatory article was inserted in the newspapers intended in
perfect seriousness as a warning to evil doers, which called public
attention to the gratifying fact, that two men had been convicted of
gross perjury in swearing in court, and had each been sentenced to
imprisonment for one month!
It is but just, however, to say, that in no country is there greater
security for person and property. Though petty theft is not
uncommon, robbery is almost unknown; and offences involving
violence, daring, and courage of a reckless kind, are very
infrequent.
The recent trial of a foreigner on a charge of murder, gave me an
opportunity of observing the process in the criminal court. The
preliminary measures after an arrest for crime, are somewhat similar
to those which are taken in like cases, before a magistrate at home.
The party is arraigned and verbally examined by the _subdelegado_,
or justice of the district in which the crime charged has been
committed. This examination is reduced to writing. The accused is
asked his age, his business, and other questions, more or less
varied and minute, at the discretion and pleasure of the justice. He
is not compelled to answer, but his silence may lead to unfavorable
inferences against him. After the examination of the prisoner
himself, witnesses are examined. If these are foreigners, the
official translator of the government attends, to translate the
answers, all of which are written down by the clerk. The witnesses
are sworn on the Evangelists, the open hand being placed on the
book, but this is not kissed as with us. One custom struck me
favorably, in comparison with the business-like and mere matter of
form mode of administering an oath in courts at home. In every
instance here, all rise—court, officers, bar and spectators, and
stand during the ceremony. All rise, too, and stand while the jury
retires.
After the preliminary examination is completed, the magistrate
decides whether or not the accused shall be held for trial; and
submits the papers with his decision to a superior officer, who
usually confirms it, and the accused is imprisoned, or released on
bail.
It is only in criminal cases that a jury forms a part of the
judicial administration. As with us, it consists of twelve men.
Forty-eight are summoned for the term; and the panel for each trial
is selected by lot, the names being drawn by a boy, who hands the
paper to the presiding judge. In capital cases, challenges are
allowed, without the demand of cause. The jury being sworn and
empanelled, the prisoner is again examined by the judge, sometimes
at great length and with great minuteness, not only as to his acts,
but to his motives. The record of the former proceedings, including
all the testimony, is then read. If either party desire, the
witnesses may be again examined, if present, but they are not bound
over, as with us, to appear at the trial. Hence the examination of
the accused and of the witnesses at the preliminary process, is very
important and material. In many instances, the case is tried and
determined entirely upon the record, as it comes up.
After reading the record, the government introduces such witnesses
as it sees fit, and the prosecuting officer addresses the jury. The
defendant then introduces his witnesses, and his advocate addresses
the jury, sometimes at considerable length. The prosecuting
attorney, if he desires it again, speaks in reply; and sometimes the
argument becomes rather colloquial and tart, the questions and
answers being bandied rather sharply.
The judge charges the jury briefly, and gives them a series of
questions in writing, to be answered on the return of the verdict.
The decision of the case is by majority—unanimity not being
required, even in criminal cases. The questions put by the judge
relate not merely to acts, but to motives, character, and other
things, which may extenuate or aggravate the offence and sentence,
and cover usually the whole case in all direct and remote
accessories. A case begun, is always finished without an adjournment
of the court, though it should continue through the day and entire
night.
In the arrangement of the court-room, the judge with his clerk sits
on one side, and the prosecuting officer on the other; the jury at
semi-circular tables on either side. Two tribunes are erected, one
at the end of each table, for the lawyers engaged in the case; these
usually address the jury sitting. The lawyers not engaged in the
suit in hand, are accommodated in a kind of pew, under the gallery,
which a stranger would be likely, at first, to take for the
criminal’s box or bar.
Public executions very seldom occur. There seems to be a repugnance
to the taking of human life, if there is any possible chance to
substitute imprisonment for life, or a term of years. Every point of
excuse or mitigation is seized upon. One cannot wonder at this, when
he regards the mode of capital punishment, the barbarous and
revolting one of Portugal and Spain—a relic of barbarism, in which
the condemned is ordered up a ladder under the gallows, and then
forced to jump off, when another man immediately ascending, mounts
the shoulders of the poor wretch, and jumps up and down upon him,
with his hand over his mouth till he is dead. Those who have
witnessed it, represent it as a most awful and revolting spectacle.
This executioner is usually a criminal condemned himself to death,
who is allowed to live by agreeing to perform the savage act when
required. The old Portuguese custom of gratifying every wish of the
condemned, as to food and clothing, is still retained; and for the
twenty-four hours preceding his execution, the poorest black slave
can order whatever in these respects his fancy dictates: segars, and
wine, and luxuries of every kind are at his command.
MONTEVIDEO.
_January 30th._—Intelligence from the Plata led to the return of the
Congress to this place, on the 24th inst. Mr. Schenck, American
Minister at the court of Brazil, came passenger with us, as the
guest of Commodore McKeever.
During the three months of our absence, public interest, in
political and military affairs, has been gradually centering at
Buenos Ayres. The siege of Montevideo being raised, and the
Argentine troops which had so long invested her having become part
and parcel of the army of Urquiza, and been withdrawn by him to the
territory of which he is captain-general, preparations have been in
gradual process for a demonstration against Rosas, by the combined
forces of Entre Rios and Brazil. Aware of this, every effort has
been made by the wary Dictator, to rally his partisans, to give
fresh force to the prestige of his name, and to excite the popular
feeling in his favor. To aid in this, all the winning power of his
accomplished daughter, has been brought forward. To afford better
room for its exercise, a public ball of great magnificence was given
at the new opera-house in Buenos Ayres. At this, Doña Manuelita held
a kind of court; and, after having received throughout its course
the homage of a queen, was, at its close, drawn in a triumphal car,
by the young men of the city, to the governmental mansion. New
levies of troops had been raised and drilled, and the whole city and
country placed under martial law.
A fortnight ago, Urquiza and the allied army of thirty thousand,
crossed the Parana without opposition; and, invading the province of
Buenos Ayres, advanced within twenty miles of the city. It is now a
week since Rosas, leaving Palermo at the head of twenty thousand
soldiers, took the field in person, to oppose his further progress.
It is said that previous to the march, Doña Manuelita, attired in a
riding-dress of scarlet velvet embroidered with gold, and splendidly
mounted, reviewed the troops; and, like Queen Elizabeth on the
approach of the Spanish Armada, delivered to them an animated and
inspiriting address.
A crisis, it is evident, is not far distant; and all is intense
expectation. The universal impression is, that Rosas must fall. It
is believed that there is treachery around him. An advance guard, in
command of Pachecho, one of his best generals, has been defeated
under circumstances which leads to the belief that, like Oribe at
Montevideo, this officer had a secret understanding with Urquiza;
and that the issue at Buenos Ayres will speedily be the same as that
which occurred here four months ago—the triumph of Urquiza, through
the desertion to him of the opposing soldiery.
This state of affairs led Mr. Schenck and Commodore McKeever, with
Secretary G——, to proceed at once to Buenos Ayres. Captain Taylor of
the marines was of the party, a company from the guard of the
Congress under his command having, with Lieut. Holmes, been ordered
to Buenos Ayres by the Commodore for the protection of American
citizens and their property, in case of the overthrow of the
existing power. As the crew are to have general liberty on shore
here, during the passing fortnight—a time when my vocation for good
seems to be suspended, and which, both on shipboard and on shore, is
to me ever one of trial—I was urged much to accompany the party. Two
reasons, however, forbade this—one, the still precarious state of a
lad, who, the day we entered the river, fell from a height of
ninety-six feet to the deck, without being killed outright; and the
other, an engagement to officiate at the marriage of Dr. W——, one of
the assistant surgeons of the Congress, to my friend, G—— H——, a
daughter of the American Consul. This is appointed for the 5th of
February, till when, at least, I must remain at Montevideo.
I have been twice only on shore—once with Captain Pearson, to
accompany him in an official call; and again, one afternoon for a
short walk. I had not intended being away from the ship more than an
hour; but, shortly after attempting to return, when not a half mile
from the shore, a furious tempest came rushing upon us. There was no
alternative but to return to the landing before it. It was so sudden
and so violent, that before the boat could well be secured within
the mole by the crew, the whole bay was in a foam, and a heavy sea
rolling over it. It was impossible to communicate with the ship the
next day; and the following night was still more tempestuous. The
hotels of the city afford but indifferent accommodations; and I
availed myself in the detention of the ever free hospitality of Mr.
F——. I improved the opportunity, too, by calling on the various
families of the British Church before I should meet them again at
the services of the chapel on the Sabbath. The last day, however,
was taken up wholly in reading with absorbing and affecting
interest, a manuscript loaned me by Mr. Lafone, and recently
received by him from Terra del Fuego. I mentioned, under a date at
Rio six months or nine ago, the arrival there of H. B. M. ship Dido,
on her way to the Pacific, with orders from the admiralty to visit
Terra del Fuego and the adjacent small islands, in search of a
company of missionaries who had gone from England the year previous,
but from whom nothing had been heard. A schooner chartered by Mr.
Lafone, and sent by him about that time with the same object,
anticipated the errand of the man-of-war, with melancholy result.
The whole party, consisting of Captain Gardiner of the Royal Navy,
Mr. Williams, a physician, Mr. Maidenant, a catechist, and four
boatmen, perished from hunger and exposure, in the inclemency of the
last winter there. The graves of some were found, and the unburied
bodies of the rest. Among the effects is the full journal of Mr.
Williams, from the time of his departure from England, till within a
few days, as is supposed, of the death of the whole.[3]
[Footnote 3: See Memoir of Richard Williams, published by the
Messrs. Carter.]
Their object was the conversion and civilization of the poor
degraded savages of those dreary and forbidding regions. Though
Captain Gardiner, the projector and leader of the enterprise, had
navigated the waters of Cape Horn, and become familiar with the
region while on service in the navy, he was ignorant of the language
of the natives, and was without an interpreter. Failing to establish
friendly relations with the brutish people, the whole party became
impressed with the idea, either with or without sufficient cause,
that their lives were in jeopardy from them; and, abandoning the
shore, in a great measure, they took to the water in frail and
ill-appointed boats. In these they fled from bay to bay, and from
islet to islet, till worn out with fatigue and exhausted from want
of food, they fell victims to sickness, starvation, and death. Mr.
Williams, to whose journal the remark I first made refers,
abandoned, at very short notice, a handsome practice in his
profession, a choice circle of friends, and a happy home in England,
for the enterprise of philanthropy in which he so soon perished.
From the record he has left it is evident that he was a deeply
experienced and devout Christian: simple-minded, frank, and pure in
heart. In this faithful diary, every thought and feeling of his
inmost soul seems fully unbosomed. His faith never failed him, under
the most afflictive and dispiriting trials; and his soul continued
to be triumphantly joyous amidst the most grievous destitution and
suffering of the body. I read the details of the journal as penned
in the original manuscript by such a man with intense interest; and
came off to the ship, deeply impressed in mind and heart, with the
sadness of the tragedy which put an end to the record.
------------------------------------------------------------------------