It happened, however, sometimes, that the presence of a
military man was necessary to prevent imposition in the shopkeepers, who
frequently made a practice of asking more for their goods than the worth
of them. In which case an officer, when applied to, always told us the
usual price of the commodity with the greatest readiness, and adjusted
the terms of the purchase.
On the morning of the fourth of September we left Rio de Janeiro,
amply furnished with the good things which its happy soil and clime so
abundantly produce. The future voyager may with security depend on
this place for laying in many parts of his stock. Among these may be
enumerated sugar, coffee, rum, port wine, rice, tapioca, and tobacco,
besides very beautiful wood for the purposes of household furniture.
Poultry is not remarkably cheap, but may be procured in any quantity;
as may hops at a low rate. The markets are well supplied with butcher's
meat, and vegetables of every sort are to be procured at a price next to
nothing; the yams are particularly excellent. Oranges abound so much,
as to be sold for sixpence a hundred; and limes are to be had on terms
equally moderate.
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