In proceeding from Rio Claro we encountered the first open plains I had seen, and with a poor sandy soil; there was scarcely grass sufficient to sustain the cattle that were here and there scattered over these campo lands.
For several miles the monotony was only broken by a few huge ant-hills, that seemed to be the result of some considerable excavation of the earth, and the inquiry was naturally suggested whether the people had been digging for gold or making a well for water.
This striking contrast of barren plains, in close proximity to the richest forest lands, is a very remarkable characteristic of this section.
After passing a large area of this waste land, we reached another fazenda of Senor José Vergueiro, called Angelica, where he awaited our arrival, and repeated the kindly reception which had been extended to us at Ybicaba. This place is ten miles from Rio Claro, and consists of twenty-six thousand acres of land. Much of this large domain is campo land, of little value; and yet there is an immense body of very valuable land, a part being under cultivation in coffee, sugar-cane, cotton, corn, rice, beans, &c., while there is yet a large portion of original forest that is favorably located and of good quality.
The buildings on this place are of huge proportions, and the machinery adapted to all the practical operations of the various departments of industry. Water-power is used for a saw-mill, a grist-mill and a coffee-mill, while oxen are employed in running a wooden mill for the sugar-cane.
The facilities here for conducting the various kinds of business are not equal to those at Ybicaba, yet the basis is here for indefinite additions and improvements in the appliances, and the energy of the proprietor is likely to render all its resources available for efficient operation.
This place was formerly the family residence of the father and mother of Senor Vergueiro, and the name, Angelica, is that of his mother.
His father was a man of considerable note, and was for a time regent of the empire during the minority of the present Emperor. He has been dead several years, and this property is held jointly by the heirs, but under the control of the gentleman above-named, who expects to make it the counterpart of Ybicaba.
Upon this place there is a mill-race, four miles long, but even then the water reaches only midway the immense wheel, making it a breast-wheel, however, of immense power, by the large column of water.
All the negroes came into the house to salute their master, with the customary placing of hands together, and saying “Santa Christ,”[[14]] which is an abbreviation for “Louvado seja nosso senhor Jesus Christ,” that is said by almost every negro in meeting a white person.