Travels in the Interior of Brazil

An important figure in British commercial mineralogy, John Mawe (1766-1829) first published this work in 1812; reissued here is the 1821 revised edition. Mawe and his wife ran a mineral-dealing business, based in Derby with a shop in London. Collecting specimens for the aristocracy, advising on explorations, and going on gathering tours, he also wrote on Derbyshire mineralogy, the South Seas, diamonds, geology and conchology. This book covers his voyage to South America in 1804, including his expedition in 1809 to the gold and diamond mining areas of Brazil. It also describes the local climate, people, natural history, trade and agriculture, and the splendour of such cities as Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. A bestseller, found on library shelves across Europe - and aboard the Beagle with Charles Darwin - the book remains relevant in the history of mineralogy and will appeal to non-specialists interested in South American adventure.

Preface; 1. Voyage to Cadiz and thence to the Rio de la Plata; 2. Journey to Barriga Negra; 3. Expedition against Buenos Ayres; 4. Voyage to St Catherine's; 5. Description of S. Paulo; 6. Coasting voyage from Santos to Sapitiva; 7. Description of Rio de Janeiro; 8. Journey to Canta Gallo; 9. Description of Canta Gallo; 10. Permission obtained to visit the diamond mines; 11. Origin and present state of Villa Rica; 12. Journey from Villa Rica to Tejuco; 13. Visit to the diamond works; 14. Some account of the districts of Minas Nuevas and Paracatu; 15. Observations on Tejuco and Cerro do Frio; 16. General view of Minas Geraes; 17. Brief notices of the capitanias of Bahia, Pernambuco, Seara Maranham, Para, and Goyaz; 18. Geographical description of the capitania of Matto Grosso; 19. Account of the capitania of Rio Grande; 20. General observations on the trade from England to Brazil; Appendix; Index.