Happily for the natives of _Brazil_, the discovery of the precious metals had been deferred until an age somewhat more humane than that which had witnessed the occupation of _Hayti_ and the conquest of _Peru_. The preaching of humanitarians, from Las Casas down to Vieyra, had not been in vain; and when at length the day came when _Minas Geraes_ was first to yield its treasures, the effect, as regarded the condition of the Brazilian Indians, was, contrary to expectation, rather beneficial than otherwise. The lust for gold superseded the lust for slaves. The Brazilian explorers had expended unbounded energy throughout long years in searching for the mines; but the work of procuring their contents was far less toilsome. It was for the most part sand-washing taken from rivers, or surface mining; the soil containing the ore was broken up by pick-axes and exposed to the action of running water. In the natural course of things a large concourse of adventurers soon gathered from far and near; a road was opened to _Rio de Janeiro_, and at this time the foundations were laid of many considerable towns--amongst them the city of _Mariana_. At a few miles’ distance stands _Villa Rica_, the capital of the captaincy. In another direction were found the mines of _Sabara_; and their discovery led to the first colonization towards the sources of the _San Francisco_. In short, the presence of gold lent its invariable allurement to the large proportion of human beings who dream that they may be amongst the exceptional persons who obtain wealth without undergoing the slow process of long labour; and thus one of the least-inviting portions of _Brazil_ was rapidly colonized. The town which for so many years has so largely supplied the Bank of England with its staple owes its foundation to Thomé Cortes d’El Rei. [Sidenote: 1702.]