Page:The naturalist on the River Amazons 1863 v2.djvu/25

 in small canoes to trade on the rivers and collect the produce, and the cargoes are shipped to the capital in large cubertas and schooners, of from twenty to eighty tons burthen. The risk and profits must be great, or capital scarce, for the rate of interest on lent money or overdue accounts is two-and-a-half to three per cent. per month; this is the same, however, as that which rules at Pará. The shops are numerous, and well-stocked with English, French, German, and North American wares; the retail prices of which are very little above those of the capital. There is much competition amongst the traders and shopkeepers, yet they all seem to thrive, if one may judge from external appearances; but it is said, that most of them are over head and ears in debt to rich Portuguese merchants of Pará, who act as their correspondents.

The people seem to be thoroughly alive to the advantages of education for their children. Besides the usual primary schools, one for girls, and another for boys, there is a third of a higher class, where Latin and French, amongst other accomplishments, are taught by professors, who, like the common schoolmasters, are paid by the provincial government. This is used as a preparatory school to the Lyceum and Bishop's seminary, well-endowed institutions at Pará, whither it is the ambition of traders and planters to send their sons to finish their studies. The rudiments of education only are taught in the primary schools, and it is surprising how quickly and well the little lads, both coloured and white, learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. But the simplicity of the Portuguese language, which is written