The wife of this merchant passed her day very quietly. At six in the morning she attended mass, and at seven returned to her home, where she remained for the rest of the day. No Brazilian lady ever appeared on the street in the daytime after half-past seven. Within doors she embroidered, dozed in her hammock, or peered through the blinds at the passers-by.

Sometimes she did a little shopping. She sent a servant to the stores for samples; and, after she had examined them and chosen what she desired, the servant returned the samples, and paid for what had been selected.

The evening was the happiest time of day for the poor, imprisoned lady. She then made a grand toilet, and, accompanied by her husband, went to the theatre or to an ice cream saloon.

Now all this is changed. The Brazilian merchants spend their days precisely as do the businessmen of New York and Boston. The women too are no longer close prisoners in their houses, but may be seen upon the streets in the daytime just as in our own country.

On leaving the city of Rio Janeiro, let us take a passing glance at the town of Petropolis. It is an hour’s journey from the capital. The first half of the trip is upon a steamer, which crosses the beautiful bay to the northern side. There a very steep railroad takes the traveler right into the heart of the Organ Mountains.

Petropolis is very much like a Swiss village. It is situated in a lofty valley, surrounded by mountains. There are several swift rivers which rush through its very streets and are spanned at frequent intervals by wooden bridges. The summerhouses and hotels are all very brightly and gaily painted. They have ornamental woodwork and little balconies and piazzas. The palace and beautiful grounds of the late emperor, Dom Pedro, can be seen here.

The third region of Brazil, the district lying between the twentieth and thirtieth parallels, includes the valleys of the Parana and Paraguay Rivers. It is well adapted to grazing. Large numbers of cattle and horses are imported from the Argentine Republic, and beef and mutton, hides and horns, will be among the future riches of Brazil.

Now, how does Brazil compare with our own country? Will it ever rival the United States in importance? It is quite its equal now, so far as natural wealth is concerned; but it is, and probably ever will be, inferior to the United States, so far as the people are concerned.

The United States is a nation of workers. The Brazilians, on account of their climate, are obliged to rest during a good part of the day, and, even in their working hours, they often toil but languidly. Foreigners who come to this country soon lose their energy, and drop into the listless habits of the natives.

One-half of Brazil is unsettled. Most of the region about the Amazon is an unbroken wilderness.