INTRODUCTION

The general character of this book is that of a Narrative of Travel and Adventure in hitherto unexplored regions; nearly one-half of the time over which its pages extend having been spent by the author in the great forests of the remote interior of Brazil, in the midst of wild scenes of savage nature, where no civilised man had before penetrated, and where, for weeks and months together, the normal condition of existence was an unceasing struggle with every natural surrounding.

On the other hand, nine months were passed in travelling about amongst the various colonies and settlements formed on the border-lands of the still untamed forests, and some pains were taken to collect therefrom such information as might be of more especial interest to the emigrant or colonist, or indeed to all who have the welfare of our large surplus population at heart.

It is hoped therefore that the pages now offered to the public will have the effect of throwing a little introduction, more light upon a country which of late years has gained, somewhat unreasonably, an unenviable reputation amongst this same emigration class in England, than that which has hitherto been reflected from the writings of aggrieved or indignant correspondents in our journals.

A few words with reference to the illustrations which accompany this work. The majority of these are from original sketches made on the spot, and as such, therefore, may fairly lay claim to being more than usually accurate representations of the scenes and subjects they profess to portray. The best thanks of the author are due to his friends Mr. G. Selwyn Edwards and Mr. John H. Morant for the prompt kindness with which they placed the contents of their portfolios at his disposal for this purpose.

The Map at the end of this volume is in great part original, and is wholly compiled from recent surveys of competent and responsible engineers, namely, the brothers Keller, Herr Swartz, and the various members of the Parana and Matto Grosso Survey Expedition.

It is inserted here by permission of the Council of the Royal Geographical Society, to whom the draft was originally presented by the author.

Reigate, October 1877.

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