At the time of the capital of _Brazil_ being removed to _Rio de Janeiro_, that city was estimated to contain a population of one hundred thousand souls. At a time when the communication between Europe and India was round the Cape of Good Hope, the position of this city gave it great commercial advantages. Its harbour, beyond question the most beautiful, was likewise one of the most capacious and commodious in the world. The translation of the court from Lisbon to _Brazil_ gave it freedom of trade and increase of capital. It must always occupy an important position; but a full description of this incomparable place must be deferred for the present. The lately established captaincy of _Minas Geraes_ had made very considerable strides. In the year 1776 the province contained about three hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants. The whole sum of gold extracted was estimated at forty-five millions sterling, which was probably rather under than over the amount. If it effected no other good, it certainly encouraged the spirit of discovery, and led to the population of vast territories which would otherwise have remained unexplored; whilst by its means Portugal was enabled to pay the balance of trade against her. It is needless to observe that in _Minas Geraes_, as in all other mining districts throughout the world, whether in California, Australia, or Africa, the proportion of crime was enormous. The captaincy of _S. Paulo_ is one of the greatest provinces of all those of _Brazil_. The elevation of the capital makes it in point of climate more desirable than that of any other city in the empire. It contained at the time of the removal of the royal family about twenty-four thousand inhabitants, one-half of them being European. Like all other places in this country, it possessed almost a superabundance of religious establishments; but it was likewise well provided with places of education. The name of _Paulista_, which is synonymous with that of an inveterate slave-stealer, has given a reputation to the inhabitants of this province in general which certainly many of them did not deserve. It has been remarked as singular that so immense a country as _Brazil_, formed as it was by an invading European race, should have maintained its cohesion as it has done; but when the circumstances of the country are considered, the wonder ceases; for in such a vast extent the scanty population were so scattered that combination on any formidable scale became almost impossible. As has been already said, the connecting tie between the various units which form _Brazil_ became doubly knit by the arrival of the family of Braganza, there to make their home. NOTE.--This and the preceding Chapters of Vol. II. relating to _Brazil_ are founded on “History of _Brazil_;” by Robert Southey; “_Barlæi_ (Casp.) _Rerum per octennium in Brazilia_,” 1680; “History of _Brazil_;” J. Henderson, 1821;