We were struck by the immense number of negroes who crowd the streets. Those born in Africa are known by the distinguishing marks of their tribes on their foreheads.  Many of them are free.  A negro in Rio may demand his valuation from a magistrate, and when he can make up the fixed sum he can purchase his freedom.  Slaves are generally treated kindly by their masters, and as their price is high, on account of the impediments thrown in the way of the slave trade, their health is carefully looked after.  The porters are all slaves.  They pay their owners so much a day, and keep the rest of what they gain for themselves.  They carry everything on their heads.  We sometimes met a dozen grunting or singing in time, as they stooped under some huge machine borne aloft above them.  They lie about the streets with their baskets, ready for anybody's call.  We thought the Brazilians a very quiet and most polite people.  They were continually bowing to each other, and there was none of that bustling roughness so often seen in England.  We met the emperor on horseback in plain clothes, though his attendants were in handsome uniforms.  He was a fine intelligent-looking young man, and is much liked.  The Brazilian government is liberal. Both Houses of Parliament are elected by the people; and if there is a majority of three-fourths in favour of a measure in the Lower House, the measure is virtually carried, whatever the vote of the Upper.  If the Senate, or Upper House, do not agree, the two meet in convention; and as the number of the Senate is small compared to that of the Lower House, it can thus always be outvoted.  The vote of the emperor can suspend a law for a year; but if, at the end of that time, it be again passed by the Legislature, it takes effect.  In reality, the government is a republic, the emperor being the executive, though deprived of legislative power.