IN BEAUTIFUL BRAZIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 73

IN BEAUTIFUL BRAZIL.

Dear Emmeline, —Every Wednesday lands a Witness here about two months old, which comes via London. Your page has always been most interesting with the E.C.C.C., having followed the end of your last session. Well, in your October paper South America is the country for a Cosy Corner Club tourist party, and as I have been in the leading towns of South America, and am at present a resident in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, following gold mining, I thought a few words might prove of interest to E.C.C.C. Of course, it will arrive too late for October, and the chances are about two to one against its arrival in New Zealand at all ; the vagaries of the Post Office system in this country are beyond description. I do not propose to deal with South America or. any of the. leading towns, or even Brazil, a country larger than Australia, but simply to give you a few impressions gathered in the most southern State in Brazil (Rio Grande de Sul). This State borders Uruguay and Paraguay, and as these have no extradition laws, or they are inactive, the scoundrel from one State slips across the frontiers to one of the others, where he is safe. Hence we have a very cosmopolitan crowd in these parts, and, on the whole, life is a jest and death of no importance. Rio Grande do Sul is a cattle-raising State pure and simple. There is also a little mining, and in the German and Italian colonies agriculture is beginning to show signs of progress. Rio de Janeiro is a modern city, and the Avenida Central is one of the finest streets in the 'world. But, when the traveller gets into the “back-blocks’.’ he begins to think that he is still in the prehistoric, age. The inhabitants are the descendants of a Latin race, and are full of quaint customs, ideas, and styles. In many ways they are exceedingly polite and courteous, but they rather overdo hand-shaking, hat raising, and saliffifig.

A very strong outward show of respect exists between parents and children, and a. child always kisses its father’s hand, although that child may have lived long enough to have children of his own. No son will smoke in front of his father, no matter what age the son may be. Riding through the country a poor child of dusky hue, and dressed in Nature’s clothing, will run out from a miserable hut holding out its little hand asking you to bestow a blessing, wnilst the mother peers round the door, hoping that the blessing will take the shape of a coin.

Before going further, it must be remembered that the people of Brazil are a mixed crowd, the dark colour predominating. The north is almost pure ebony, the south more white and mulatto, but there is a sort of equality throughout, all speaking a colonial Portuguese. This mixture of colour and equality does not appeal to the colonial or Britisher, and he generally stands aloof. They say here “Englishmen and walk in the sun,’’ meaning that all -Britishers are mad. An Englishman, or I should say a Britisher, is always respected here, and if he does anything that appears extraordinary to them, they simply shrug their shoulders, and their attitude represents the foregoing saying. The houses are very comfortless, and although the weather' is bitterly cold, especially at night, from the middle of May until the end of August, there are no fireplaces in them. The women adopt the Spanish custom of leaning out of the window and talking to the passers-by—in fact, the girls make love from the windows. At a dance a girl may only dunce with her young man, unless he gives permission otherwise. If you visit a family and pay the slightest attention to any of the girls, a proposal it at once loked for—a Britisher would say on the slightest provocation. Wedding ceremonies lake place at night, and are very free and easy, generally ending up with a dance.

Every family has its black servants, eo a white girl does very little except dress. Outdoor games and sports are unknown amongst the girls. They are very goodlooking till about 20 or 25, only just a little bit inclined to overdo' the use of cosmetics. After that age they seem to get very stout on account of leading such an inactive life.

Musical more or less they are, passionate and faithful; in fact very similar to the Spanish women folk. The Brazilian women, as women from a British standpoint, are a long way ahead of the men from a similar standpoint. They adopt a Continental style of dressing suitable to the climate, with a few local changes slipped in, seldom wearing hats, and if they nave to go out into the sun, a sunshade is brought into play. But now I must pull up, as the subject, however fascinating, is just a bit too deep for an ordinary bachelor. Now a few words about the men. They are a tired lot and seldom in a hurry, gamble a good deal, and are inveterate cigarette smokers. Still they get along Ai, and are very easy-going. When a Brazilian is asked for something that he does not want to reply to or give, he answers “Amanim,” meaning to-morrow, and whether to-morrow will ever come depends on the way in which the word is drawn out and the height to which, the shoulders are lifted. The unwritten motto of the country is“Tem paciencia,” meaning “Have patience,” or “Never do to-day what can be put off till to-morrow.” However, as the above is universal, things go on just the same as if everyone was trying to do three days’ work in one, and everybody’s happy. The poncho here is universal. It is similar to a blanket with a hole in the centre to put your head through. It is used as an overcoat, and is specially adapted to riding, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable in bad weather. In the hot weather they are also used, but of a much finer material. They are rather picturesque, being got up in different designs with tassels along both edges. The cost is from £5 10s to £25.

Bombochas, riding boots with legs like a concertina, and, enormous spurs are the horseman’s outfit. These bombachas are a very wide pleated trouser with a band fitting tight round the ankle, being very cool and comfy in the hot weather. Worn in all and any colour, they give plenty of scope for the imagination in the way of buttons and fancy pleats down the sides. Of course, colour is greatly in demand in every article of clothing.

In the village rockets are used to announce everything—the arrival of a circus or cinematograph show, special mass, saint’s day, dance, concert or wedding, the arrival of a rich rancher or other person of importance, and also of any good lamb for the gamblers. Doctor is a complimentary title used to anybody in any profession, or to a well-to-do stranger. Carts, traps, etc., are very crude. Bullock drays are used for general transport, the animals being yoked by the horns. The largest drays take a load of a ton and a-half, and are pulled by a team of eight oxen. The carter is on horseback, and governs his oxen by means of a nail fastened on to the end of a long pole. Coaches are called diligencias, and are drawn by five to six ponies yoked abreast. A nigger boy rides in front with a raw hide line attached to the pole, and is responsible for the steering, the man with the reins being only a secondary consideration.

Contraband is a great business in this State, the goods being brought over from Uruguay. In a certain village one night contraband was being unloaded when a person happened to pass by. Of course, he was ordered to “hands up,” when it was discovered to be the district judge, and he was allowed to go. Next day, however, he appeared in a brand new overcoat, and nothing more has been heard of the incident. Outside of another .town one evening you would have thought a battle was raging. It was the police and contrabandists (runners) exchanging shots. A complete capture was effected without bloodshed, and the police came in for a share of the profits when the confiscated goods were sold. It turned out afterwards to be a put-up job. A tremendous amount of ammunition was expended on both sides but all into the air, as the contraband runners had agreed to allow themselves to be easily captured, or rather the gods, as the runners cleared off at the last moment, fen- a good share with the police in the plunder, thereby making more than they would have done by simply carting the contraband to its destination. Of course the chief officials in this country are to blame for this state of affairs, but I shall not criticise them here. I hope what has been written will prove of interest, and I shall not trouble you further. 7th. N.Z.

£2T Description) of balls, 4c., must be endorsed by either the Witness correspondent for the district or by the secretary of the ball committee. The MS. of any correspondents who do not comply with this rule will be sent to the secretary for endorsement prior to appearing.—KMMELlXE. To ensure publication In the forthcoming issue letters should reach the Witness oflloe if possible on Saturday night, but on no account later than Monday night. WEDDING AT INVERCARGILL. A wedding of great interest to Invercnrgiilitos was solemnised by the Rev. R. M. Kybum at the First Church, Tay street, on Wednesday, January 8, the contracting parties being Mr Charles Snow (Timiftru) and Miss Laviria J. liliot, only daughter cf Mrs J. Fhot, Leot street. The bride, wlro entered the church, on the arm of hex cousin, Mr Wm. Lewis, looked charming in a sown of ivory satin charmeuse with court troln, beautifully trimmed with Indian laoo and silk fringe, end embroidered with, pearls. She also wore the orthodox veil and ft. coronet, of orange blossoms, The bride was attended by two bridesmaids, Miss May Stirling, who wore a. dove grey taffeta frook trimmed with Oriental galon dnd kmcho» of pale blue fend large black hat, and Mies Gladys M'Leod (Mospnol), who was also dressed In dove grey taffeta piped with pink

and largo grey and pink hat to rS'r.tch. Mr J, of Timaru, acted as best uiam, and Mir M. Collie (Dunedin) was grtx>msmnn. The bridegroom's gift to tlie bride was a magnificent djar ond ling, and to thb bridesTTtaJas, Miss Stirling a pearl ring, and Mks M’Leod a gold bangle. Mrs Eliot, the bride’s mother was robed in riole's nfaazon cloth handsomely trimmed with wide black silk scroll braid insertion and frtbge, the bodice being relieved with yoke and sleeves of creme silk allover lace. She also wore a smart toque of creme crinoline straw with black feather mount. The bridegroom’s mother (Mrs Snow) wore a black satin brocaded dress trimmed with sequin net, and black bonnet relieved with pink. The bride’s travelling dress was a greV tailor-made costume. with hat to mqtch turned up at the back and trimmed with email pink flowers and long grey feather aigrette. After thj wedding a. reception was held at Ashley's Hall, where a delicious breakfsst was partaken of, and the usual toasts proposed. The presents wears numerous and costly, amongst them being some handsome cheques. The Jay being an ideal one, there was quite a large number of guests present at th church. Amongst them I noticed: Dr Snow, Mr and Mrs Hain, Mr and Mrs Hopcraft, Mr and Mies Dallas, Mr and Mrs Stirling. Mr and Mrs Hay, Mr and Mrs Ryburn. Mr and Mrs Brown (Thombury). Mr and Mrs Deck, Mr and Mrs Murray; the Misses Lewis (2), CIaPP, Grieve, Hartle, Grigg, M’Donald (2), Gunn, Lindsay (Oamaru) J Messrs Anderson, Lewis (2), M’Kittrick, etc., etc. J Mesdames Gunn. Gel fatly, Frier (Oamnru)., Ir.noe (Oamaru). Patrick (Outram). Mrs Hain wore an amethyst chiffon taffeta, with black bat; Mrs Lewis, black nlnon over grey duchesse moueseline trimmed silk lace and Oriental galon; Miss Lewis, vieux lose niuon over striped chiffon taffeta with strappings of stripe silk, stylish picture hat to match; Mire A. Lewis, pretty, simple gown of e’eme shantung silk trimmed with handsome guipure; Mies Grieve, grey silk prettily trimmed with lace and piped with pa’e blue, large grey hat to match; Mrs Hopcraft. block velvet dress, stylish pink hat with black silk lace; Miss Dallas (I)unedm), black chiffon taffeta, large black hat with black and white lancer tips; Miss Clapp, grey costume and black hat; Mrs li.res (Oflnmru), brown silk, black and white toque; Mrs Stirling, black silk, smart saxe blue hat; Mrs Patrick (OutramV, Wedgwood blue frock, black hat; Miss Hartle. creme eergo costume, creme and black hat; Mrs Collie (Dunedin), saxe blue voile and black hat with feathers; - Miss Gngg, pearl grey dress with hat to match, feather stole; Mrs Ryburn, grey frock, hat to match; Mrs Brown (Thomburv). grey aooline, hat to match: Miss- M'Donald (Otnutau). creme crystalline. large black hat; Miss M. M'Donakl, pale blue mousseline, white hat; Mrs Gunn, black costume with black hat; Miss Lindsay, (Oamaru). white embroidered frock, white hat trimmed with cerise roses; Mrs Hay. crepie silk, large black hat. The newly-wedded couple left by the afternoon exurcs.s for Dunedin.‘-where - thev w-ill spend a few days before going on to ’ Timaru, their future residence.