Their chief liquor is a kind of mead, made from honey and the _alforba_, a berry which abounds in the woods during four months of the year, from December to April. During these months a married man of the nation used seldom to be sober; but there is a change for the better. Yet, the missionary says that it is easier to eradicate any other vice from the minds of the Indians, than this of intemperance. They will sooner live content with one wife, abstain from slaughter and rapine, give up their ancient superstitions, or employ themselves in agriculture and other labors, notwithstanding their indolence. But it must be done; and if white Christians, or those who bear the name, would all practise temperance, as well as teach it, the red men might be made temperate. There are, according to Humboldt, nearly six millions of Indians in South America. We think there is reason to believe that they have, on the whole, decreased in that country since its discovery by Europeans. In the south they have mingled with the European settlers, which in North America has never been found practicable. The religious orders have also founded missions, which, though doubtless encroaching on the liberties of the natives, have generally been favorable to the increase of population. As the preachers advance into the interior, the planters invade their territory; the whites and the castes of mixed breed, settle among the Indians; the missions become Spanish villages, and finally the old inhabitants lose their original manners and language. In this way, civilization advances from the coasts towards the centre of the continent.[8] Such was the aspect of affairs while these provinces were under the Spanish government; since they became independent, the Indians, in most of the states, are allowed the full benefit of the free institutions established. As education becomes more diffused, and religion, divested of its superstitions, becomes more pure and peaceful; we may confidently hope, that the red man will partake of the blessings of civilization and Christianity, and, in South America at least, enjoy those moral and intellectual advantages which shall elevate him to an equality with his white brethren. [5] See Head’s Journey over the Pampas and the Andes. [6] See a history of this people, by Martin Dobrizhoffer,-- eighteen years a missionary in the country. [7] Martin Dobrizhoffer. [8] Humboldt.