The church is also represented at Inhambane by a “Vigário,” or Curate; who, besides his religious duties, engages in commercial pursuits. The character of this “holy man” is aptly described, by one of his own countrymen, as being “Mais cobiçoso e avaro que os seculares, e mais engolfado queelles na vileza dos vicios;”—“More covetous and avaricious than the laymen, and more deeply instructed than them in the vileness of their vices.”
Justice is also represented; but not by the blind goddess of communities less advanced than the people of Inhambane. Here, he who bribes highest wins his suit.
In short, all the officers necessary for carrying on a good government are appointed; some without salaries, and others with salaries which are a mockery, and all without even a public place in which they can transact business. Doubtless the imperial government of Portugal has supplied the means for these buildings, and they exist, but only on paper. The funds for erecting them having been embezzled by some Governor-general, and his subordinates, who may now be basking in the sunny rays of the court of Lisbon.
The principal edifice is a church, in a deplorable state of ruin; the roof being thatched with the leaf of the palm, and within and without bearing witness to the neglect of that religious faith which it was built to propagate.
Leaving this melancholy picture of man’s degradation, let us proceed into the country, beyond the limit of so-called civilization, and explore the vast field which nature here unfolds to us.
In the district of Inhambane, the valleys, the mountains, and the rivers abound in riches. Copper, gold, and iron are found in abundance; nuts, roots, and even trees, are found producing dyes.
The juice of the India-rubber tree affords amusement for the little black boys of Inhambane, who chew it until it becomes plastic, and then inflating it with their breath, are pleased with the report which the bladder makes on bursting. The same amusement may be witnessed among the children of Europe. This is mentioned to show how plentiful India-rubber is in the neighbourhood of Inhambane.
Oranges and lemons are found in great abundance, while grapes grow here on trees, as on the married or grafted trees in Portugal. With these, wine and vinegar are both made. The banana, plantain, and pine apple are very delicious, and abound everywhere.
All the fruits of Brazil are found here as if indigenous to the climate, and in equal perfection; while the country produces trees, herbs, plants, roots, and nuts, having medicinal qualities (see Appendix).
Cocoa-nut trees, the coffee-tree, bearing a small berry, similar in flavour to Mocha coffee, and the sugar-cane, are found in great perfection; the last named being large, and affording abundance of saccharine matter.