[43] Canga is the name of ferruginous quartz, fragments of which abound in this town, and are used for paving the streets.
[44] Four vintens are nearly equal to a shilling of our money. When this rivulet was first washed for gold, the quantity produced by each gamella amounted in value to that sum. As the cascalho then lay near the surface, and required very little trouble to get at, one washer could clear about twelve bowls-full per hour, which was considered a comparatively rich return.
In the mines they have two methods of estimating the quantity produced: for example; Quatro Vintens, here mean four vintens of gold, which is equal to eight of copper; whereas, in Rio de Janeiro, the same expression implies four vintens of copper.
[45] In order to insure the vigilance of the overseers, these chairs are constructed without backs or any other support on which a person can recline.
[46] The negroes employed in these works are the property of individuals, who let them to hire at the daily rate of three vintens of gold, equal to about eight-pence, Government supplying them with victuals. Every officer of the establishment is allowed the privilege of having a certain number of negroes employed.
[47] The negroes are constantly attending to the cascalho from the very commencement of the washings, and frequently find diamonds before this last operation.
[48] Probably fugitive negroes, who subsist in this remote district by plunder and smuggling.
[49] It was then in seed, of which I collected a small quantity; since my return, I have sent part of it to the Agricultural Society, and the remainder I have distributed among gentlemen who endeavoured to promote its growth in this country, but without effect. It is rather a hardy grass, as it grew in situations which were all so cold, that the bananas and coffees were frequently blighted.
[50] The ladies particularly wished to have the cheese of a fine color, like that sent thither from England; and I was at no loss for an ingredient for tinging the milk, as the tree, which produces the seed from which annatto is made, grew spontaneously in the neighbourhood.
[51] On the road there are numerous farm houses, which afford sufficient accommodation for a traveller. They in general belong to persons resident in Tejuco, where their produce is sold.