This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... XIII. THE GERMAN COLONIES: THEIR ORIGIN, GROWTH, AND PRESENT CONDITION. The first colony was that of San Leopoldo, established by the present Emperor's father, Dom Pedro I., in the fertile lands of the old Feitoria Real de Canhamo (Royal flax factory), still called Feitoria Velha, on the banks of the Sinos river, now forty-seven years ago. The first batch of settlers, comprising 26 families and 17 unmarried persons, arrived on June 25, 1825, to the number of 126 souls, and were followed some months later by 157 families numbering 909 persons. In the four subsequent years the arrivals reached 3,701; but the civil wars which ensued put a stop to immigration until the renewal of peace in 1844, the number of arrivals in 1846 amounting to 1,515. A census taken in 1854 showed the colonists to number 11,172 souls, including 3,680 children born in the country, occupying 2,083 houses. The increase by births over deaths was amazing, and the number of colonists was also increased by the disbanded battalions of German chasseurs and grenadiers after the war, who received, like the soldiers of Augustus, free land-grants, that they might turn their swords into reaping-hooks, and each man sit down under the shadow of his own fig-tree. In 1866 the Inspector of Colonies reported the number of Germans (including children born in the country) at 25,000 in the single district of San Leopoldo, and their farm-lots ranged in value from 10 to 28 contos (say 1,00011. to 2,800Z. sterling). When we bear in mind that the colony at the very outset had to encounter a civil war which lasted nearly twenty years, and in which the colonists themselves were forced to take part on opposing sides, it is simply marvellous what progress San Leopoldo has made, now ' the...