CHAPTER XII.
SAN ROMAO TO THE DIAMOND DISTRICT.
Leaves
San Romao—Passes Guaribas—Passagem—Geraes
Velhas—Espigao—Cai-sara—Cabeceira—Arrives at the Villa de Formigas—Town
described—Account of the impostor Douville—Country around rich in
botanical products—Passes Viados —Arrives at the Arraial de
Bomfim—Reaches San Elo—Sitio—Comes to a Gold Working called
Lavrinha—Crosses the River Inhacica—Reaches As Vargems—• Registo do Rio
Inhahy— Bassoras on the river Jiquitiuhonha—Examines a Diamond
Mine—Formation in which the Diamond is found—Mode of Working it—Arrives
at the Arraial de Mendanha—Town described—Ascends the Serra de
Mendanha—Reaches Duas Pontes—Arrives at the Cidade Diamautina, formerly
the Arraial de Tejuco, the Capital of the Diamond District—Town
situated on side of Hill—Description of its Population—Their mode of
Dress—Its cold Temperature—Productions of its Neighbourhood—Mining for
Diamonds, formerly a privileged Monopoly, now is open to all.—Character
of Miners—Extent of Diamond Mines—Privilege of Slaves there
employed—Climate very Healthy— Women very Handsome—Complaints incident
to its Climate—Loyalty shown by its Inhabitants—Fatality among Horses.
The province of Minas Geraes is not only one of the largest in Brazil, but one of the richest, its natural resources being very considerable. It extends between the 14th and 23rd degrees of south latitude, and between the 41st and 53rd degrees of west longitude, the four more westerly degrees, however, include but a very narrow corner; on the east it is bounded by the maritime province of Espirito Santo; on the north, by those of Bahia and Pernambuco;
on the south, by those of Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo; and on the
west, by that of Goyaz. It is naturally divided into two very unequal
portions by a mountain chain, that runs
