Hunting a home in Brazil

by James McFadden Gaston

Those marked thus * are suitable for cutting and curing as hay, and we find this fazendeiro has a considerable amount dried and stored away for use as may be required.

As there is no frost here to destroy the grass, and animals can run upon the pastures throughout the year, very few persons think it necessary to cure hay, yet these high grasses are cut and fed to milch cows, or to horses that are not put out to graze, and thus they are very useful.

During the cooler months of winter, and when there is a protracted drought in the warm season, none of the grasses grow so luxuriantly, and the grazing is of course much impaired, so that it is very convenient to lay up a supply of hay, as is done at this place during the season of full development, and retain it to meet emergencies.

This region of country is more particularly adapted to agricultural operations, and makes a better return under cultivation than to be used for pasturage, yet grass is produced of the best quality when it is allowed to grow naturally or the land is planted artificially with either the seed or the radicals of the different grasses. One of the varieties of cassium is propagated entirely by transplanting the roots, from which it extends.

Combining a notice of the habits and customs of the people with a record of their material resources, it is my privilege to note the entertainment given us to-day by our host. Quite a number of his friends were invited to join us at dinner, and the preparations for the feast were most elaborate. There were twenty-six persons seated at the table, including the lady of the house, whose quiet dignity gave a grace to the elegant style in which all was arranged. Our party were seated in juxtaposition to each other, General Wood being in the middle, and having Dr. Warne on his left hand and myself on his right. On the opposite side to us was seated Mr. Henry Whitaker, who was to act as interpreter. From this portion of the table there extended at right angles two wings, at which the other guests were seated, Senor Vergueiro being at the end of one of the wings and Dom Whitaker, Juiz Direita, at the end of the other. Senhora was seated at one of the angles adjoining the portion of the table occupied by our party, and thus as will be perceived entirely separated from her husband.

A description of the numerous dishes, and the many varieties of liquors and wines, is out of my power, as it was far more extensive than we are accustomed to see at a dining.

Early in the progress of the substantial part of the dinner, Senor Vergueiro arose and addressed those present as to his object in thus assembling his fellow-citizens with us around his table, closing with a sentiment complimentary to all our party, and mentioning by name General Wood and myself. To this the General responded at considerable length, closing with a toast to our host and hostess, when I made some remarks and toasted the authorities of Brazil, and the counties of Rio Claro and Lemeire; Dr. Warne responded to a sentiment from Judge Whitaker, and gave a toast, and, in like manner, Mr. Kernan being called out, made a few remarks and gave a toast.

All the remarks in either language were interpreted by Mr. Whitaker as the speakers proceeded, each making a pause between sentences, and thus all was mutually understood, giving the whole proceedings a fine effect.

A large proportion of the Brazilian guests joined in the expression of sentiments welcoming our people to this province, and manifesting much interest in the result.

After spending an hour at the table Mrs. Vergueiro retired, much after the style with us, and the festivities were kept up for three hours, amidst the most vociferous cheering and singing. This reminded me very much of some of the public dinners of our associations or societies, and we could scarcely realize that it was merely a collection of gentlemen at a private house.