We stopped upon the road to-day at an inn (hospidaria) kept by one of these German families, who had collected a considerable property in a few years, and they now have a plantation with several slaves, in connection with a thriving house of entertainment for travellers. Most of those who entered business originally with some of the Fazendieros as colonists, have since attained to a moderate competency, and settled themselves upon small farms or engaged in mercantile business.
Campinas is surrounded by large and flourishing coffee plantations, and is the residence of many wealthy planters, yet I understand that there is not much trade of any kind conducted in the city. Should the projected railroad be built in a reasonable time, it will enhance the importance of this city vastly, and it will then become attractive as a location for business and as a place of residence for families. I await the result with a feeling of interest.
On our route to-day we found that three out of the number of disabled public animals had been left at different points, as it was impracticable for them to travel with the train, while the others proceeded to our place of stopping, within one mile of Jundiahi.
This inn, kept by Senor José Pinto, is a fair sample of these houses of entertainment for travellers, and though we were molested with fleas as we went up, the general provisions for our accommodation were as good as are usually found at these places. There are two young women about the house, who are daughters of the proprietor, and don’t seem to have any fear of strangers, attending promptly to all their wants. The proprietor, who is generally known as Barão (the Baron), is immensely corpulent, and locomotes as little as possible, yet he learns every thing that can be communicated by persons passing in either direction, and is regarded as the best authority for what is going on in the country.
One of the small forest hogs, called tité, that are abundant in some regions we have visited, was seen domesticated at this place. It looks very much like we might expect a cross between a hog and a goat to appear, being of a gray color, and without any tail, but with a head corresponding very much to that of the ordinary swine.
This animal rarely exceeds fifty pounds weight, and is an excellent article for the table, the flesh being delicate and tender. The woman who owned this desired to sell it to us, but as our transportation was not suited for the accommodation of life-stock, it had to be left for some other purchaser.
A well-assorted and abundant supply of eatables was sent by our hostess at Campinas to meet our wants for the day, and nothing was required at the inn.
Saturday, November 18, 1865.
Being aroused early this morning we were served with a cup of coffee by Barão, and prepared for the road. The General rode into the villa of Jundiahi in the four-horse carriage, and there dismissing the driver and equipage to return to Campinas, he mounted his mule again, feeling much reinforced for the journey.
One of the camaradas was sent back by Mr. Bennaton with money to pay for the attention given by parties on the road to the disabled animals, and with instructions to bring them forward leisurely, so as to return them to the government authorities at São Paulo.