Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. JOURNEY FROM S. JOAO DE YPANEMA TO VILLA RICA. The plan which we had laid down for the prosecution of our journey, was to reach Villa Rica by the end of the rainy season, and then during the dry months to make excursions in various directions through the sertao of Minas Geraes during the dry season. The road leads first to Ytu; but we previously paid another visit toVilladeSorocaba, where the capitao raor had already prepared a house for us, because he hoped that we should pass some weeks there, and benefit the neighbourhood by giving medical advice. We could not however accept his invitation, though our presence would have been more advantageous to the place, as the only surgeon was ill. We were introduced to this patient; he was a mulatto, a gloomy hypochondriac, whom a few applications of magnetism threw into convulsions, and then into a sound sleep. After we had prescribed the medical treatment necessary for him, we immediately set about purchasing the mules of which we were in want. These animals may be obtained of superior quality, and on the most reasonable terms, at Sorocaba, because a great trade in them is carried on from this place to the north of Brazil. It is calculated that above thirty thousand mules are annually brought from Rio Grande do Sul, through Sorocaba; a tribute from one thousand two hundred and eighty to two thousand rees for each is paid to the crown, on its entrance into the new capitania. This duty is one of the most lucrative for the government, because it is repeated with certain modifications on the frontiers of every province. The price of these animals, which is from twelve to five and twenty piastres, is hereby doubled and tripled by the time they get from this place to the northern...
