_Pernambuco_ was, in the early part of this century, one of the most nourishing parts of this great colonial empire; and its chief port, _Recife_, was only inferior in importance to _Bahia_ and _Rio de Janeiro_. It contained about twenty-five thousand inhabitants. No other city had derived such benefit from the growth of the cotton trade. It seems to have been a favourite place of resort with the religious Orders; the Fathers of the Oratory, the Franciscans, and the Carmelites had each a convent; whilst the Italian Capuchins and the Almoners of the Holy Land had each a _hospice_. There was likewise a _Recolimento_ and a hospital for lepers. The Governor resided in what had been the Jesuits’ College. Although people of Portuguese race are perhaps the most temperate in the world, excepting Mahommedans and some other Asiatics, the water-drinkers of _Recife_ were dependent for that element on canoes, by which it was conveyed from the _Capivaribe_ or the _Beberibe_--there being no aqueduct. The neighbouring city of _Olinda_ well maintained the reputation from which it takes its name. In the agricultural or cattle-breeding districts in the interior of _Brazil_ the mode of life was primitive; but, owing to the influence of commerce at the ports, it was somewhat more civilized than in _La Plata_ or _Paraguay_ at the same period. Water was served in houses of all classes for ablution before and after meals. It was the general custom to sit on the ground. Knives and forks were superfluities, as were beds, which were replaced by hammocks. The dress of the drover when away from home was somewhat elaborate, as is that of the _Pampas gaucho_. The home dress of the women was exceedingly simple; nor was their costume luxurious abroad. The cattle were so numerous that the population ate animal food three times a day, taking with it a cake made of mandioc or of rice. Wild fruits were so abundant that none were cultivated save water-melons. It is stated that the scattered population, in these thinly-peopled districts, were indebted for their civilization to a considerable extent to pedlars. These itinerant dealers supplied the farmers and their families with almost every imaginable commodity, including calico, earthenware, rum, tobacco, horsegear, and Irish butter. They usually received payment in the shape of some other commodity.