Village books

It was now the rainy season. The birds were moulting--fifty-eight specimens
of the handsomest of them in the neighbourhood of Pernambuco had been
collected; and it was time to proceed elsewhere. The conveyance to the
interior was by horses, and this mode, together with the heavy rains, would
expose preserved specimens to almost certain damage. The journey to
Maranham by land would take at least forty days. The route was not wild
enough to engage the attention of an explorer, or civilised enough to
afford common comforts to a traveller. By sea there were no opportunities,
except slave-ships. As the transporting poor negroes from port to port for
sale pays well in Brazil, the ships' decks are crowded with them. This
would not do.
Excuse here, benevolent reader, a small tribute of gratitude to an Irish
family whose urbanity and goodness have long gained it the esteem and
respect of all ranks in Pernambuco. The kindness and attention I received
from Dennis Kearney, Esq., and his amiable lady will be remembered with
gratitude to my dying day.


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